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Russian Studies

Minor

Immerse yourself in the Russian culture and prepare for an interesting and interconnected future.

Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning Europe and Asia. It is a country with a rich history and today there are millions of Russians living throughout the world. As a Russian Studies student, you will come to understand how Russian culture has been forged over the centuries and develop language skills that will benefit you in an increasingly interconnected world.

Students in the Russian Studies program work together to improve language proficiency and often attend cultural events, Russian-speaking lunch tables, and Russian language movie nights together. By participating in community service projects, you will also have the opportunity to connect with the Russian-speaking community right here in Salem.

Through deep discussions of the literature, art, film, philosophy, history, and politics of Russia, you will gain a broad understanding of Russian traditions and identity. You also have the option to take advantage of our study abroad program and fully immerse yourself in your studies as you deepen your understanding and appreciation of Russian culture.

The skills and expertise you gain as a Russian Studies student will lead to a variety of career opportunities in fields such as government, translation, foreign service, journalism, tourism, business, technology, education, law, and non-profit work.

Featured Alumni

German & Russian

Diana Serrano ’10

  • Secondary English learner who was raised in rural Mexico and Woodburn, Oregon
  • Earned an M.A. from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California, then a PhD at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.
  • Became a Strategic Data Project fellow through Harvard University in 2019
Tejeswara Reddy
German & Russian

Tejeswara Reddy '15

  • Taught English in Greece through the Fulbright U.S. Student program
  • Former high school math teacher and U.S Department of Education Policy Fellow
  • Studied genetically modified crops in India as a Willamette Carson Scholar and oversaw a group of volunteers who worked with Chicago’s homeless population through Take A Break
German & Russian

Eric Swinn ’06

  • First-generation student from Roseburg, Oregon
  • Double major in French and Russian who seized opportunities for study abroad and learning from his professors
  • Now deputy chief of consular affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels
Willamette University

Russian Department

Address
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6253 voice
503-370-6720 fax