| Discover Russia Learn more about the amazing Russian culture and study abroad opportunties through the Russian Club. TU has a sister university in Zelenograd, Russia and exchanges each year. Take a walk on Red Square and see an opera at the Bolshoi Theatre! |
Russia's Amazing History Russia is a truly unique country and has a rich history behind it. As you learn more about the immense change and opportunity in Russia today, learn about the times of Tsars, the change to communism, and Russia's beginnings with capitalism. |
| The Arts in Russia Russia is well known for its opera and figure skating. Since long ago, great emphasis has been placed on the arts, from the times of Catherine the Great and the Hermitage until today. Learn about the rich and diverse museums in Russia, and its unique role that it plays in culture today. |
Thinking Jobs? Think Russian. As Russia emerges from communism and faces the new century, market forces, and opportunity, are fast at work inside of Russia. If you are interested in international business or working with the government, learning the language that over 220 million people speak will broaden your future opportunities. |
| Rich Literature No other country has produced writers on the scale that Russia has. Ranging from Dostoevsky to Tolstoy, and more contemporary writers that include Solzhenitsyn and Yevtushenko, any student interested in the literature that has defined the world will find new insights by studying Russian. |
A Shrinking World With decreasing transportation costs and a revolution in communication technology, Russia is closer than it ever has been in the past. Now only a phone call or email away, Russia will work increasingly with the United States and the rest of the world, making Russian an even more important language to speak. |
About Russia
Russia, located in both Europe and Asia, is the largest country in the world. Covering over 19 million sq km, Russia has large forests and natural resources. The history of Russia extends back to old "Rus", or ancient Russia , which was founded by the Vikings in Kiev , today in Ukraine . The country continued to develop until Mongol invaders ruled the country until the 16th century.
A decade after the implosion of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Russia is still struggling to establish a modern market economy and achieve strong economic growth. In contrast to its trading partners in Central Europe - which were able within 3 to 5 years to overcome the initial production declines that accompanied the launch of market reforms - Russia saw its economy contract for five years, as the executive and legislature dithered over the implementation of many of the basic foundations of a market economy. Russia achieved a slight recovery in 1997, but the government's stubborn budget deficits and the country's poor business climate made it vulnerable when the global financial crisis swept through in 1998. The crisis culminated in the August depreciation of the ruble, a debt default by the government, and a sharp deterioration in living standards for most of the population.
The economy subsequently has rebounded, growing by an average of more than 6% annually in 1999-2002 on the back of higher oil prices and the 60% depreciation of the ruble in 1998. These GDP numbers, along with a renewed government effort to advance lagging structural reforms, have raised business and investor confidence over Russia 's prospects in its second decade of transition. Yet serious problems persist. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia 's industrial base is increasingly dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to maintain vigorous economic growth. Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors, corruption, local and regional government intervention in the courts, and widespread lack of trust in institutions. In 2003 President PUTIN further tightened his control over the "oligarchs," especially in the realm of political expression.
Source: CIA World Factbook