History and purpose

Dobro Slovo was originally founded as a local Slavic honorary society on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley on October 29, 1926. In 1963, with the support of the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL), Dobro Slovo became the National Slavic Honor Society. The charter of the University of Virginia's Beta Pi chapter was granted in 1982.  There are now over 100 local chapters at colleges and universities throughout the country. Dobro Slovo serves to recognize academic excellence in the study of Slavic languages, literature and history and seeks to encourage continuing interest in Slavic studies.

The key (pin)

The name of the society is represented by the two glagolitic letters, Dobro (on the upper left corner of the key), which means beautiful, and Slovo (on the lower right corner), which means "word." The firebird (zharptitsa), a well-known figure from Slavic folk tales, appears on the upper right corner of the key, representing the ancient roots of Slavic culture. The lower left corner of the key, designed to look like a page about to be turned, represents the ongoing search through books and manuscripts in pursuit of greater understanding Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

Recent Initiates

2011
Haley Anderson
Nicholas Herbst
Monika Lutostanski
Melissa Jean Schrettner
Lauren Tortorella

2010
Tyrssa Oksana Korduba
Meaghan Hunt Patrick
Laura Anna Sprudzs
Ajdin Muratovic
Lauren Elyse Catlett
Ian Christopher Hollands
Joseph Weston Siler

2009
Alina Zoofarovna Efford
Aleksandra Herbst
Christian Johan Hyland
Megan Leigh Hyler
Rachel Katherine Leary

2008
Emily Catherine Bachman
Danielle Brown
Maria Tchijov
Jane B. Baber
Mark McCartney, Jr.
Erin A. Franklin
Andre C. Grimes
Thomas Edward Wonder

2007
Olivia Milne Brumfield
William Cummings Barratt
Kristina Renee Dorsey
Sarah Elizabeth Forman
Molly P. Harris
Erika Morgan Kappes
Heather Marie Mastapeter
Mariza Matel
Rachel Whitney Mulheren
Alexander Warner Purnell
Elizabeth Retter
Marina Suberlyak
Hannah Woolf

American Councils for International Education

For more information contact: Russian and Eurasian Outbound Programs, American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036. 

Alfa Fellowship Program

The Alfa Fellowship Program is a high-level professional development exchange program placing 10 qualified American citizens per year in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, and public policy. Key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are expanding networks of American and Russian professionals, developing greater intercultural understanding, and advancing U.S./Russian relations. The program includes language training, seminar programs, and extended professional experience. Fellows receive travel, free housing, monthly stipends, and insurance. Russian language proficiency is preferred though not required at the time of application. The annual application deadline is December 1.

Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program

The Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program is a prestigious award that each year sends 20 young American leaders on a nine month, intensive professional development program in Europe. The program consists of two high-level work placements in major German institutions and three seminars taking place across Europe. Placements are customized to fellows' interests, with past host organizations having included federal and local government institutions, private corporations, NGOs, media outlets, and cultural organizations. The three program seminars provide an opportunity for fellows to meet with key decision-takers from across Europe in fields such as public policy, private enterprise, media, arts and culture. Fellows receive a monthly stipend; all program-associated travel; comprehensive health, accident and liability insurance; and German language training as needed. Knowledge of German is not required at the time of application. The annual application deadline is October 15.

Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO) Fellowship

• Masters Students, Pre-doctoral Students, Postdoctoral Students, and professionals with advanced degrees are eligible for the IARO Fellowship.
• IARO Fellowships cover the cost of international airfare, a living/housing stipend, visa support, travel insurance, and access to the resources available at any of our 25 area field offices.
• Questions may be addressed to the IARO Program Staff or by telephone at 202-628-8188.
• Countries Eligible for Research: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
• IARO is funded by the United States Department of State Title VIII Program.

See website for more details: Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO) Fellowship

Preceding Semester Checklist

Students planning on studying abroad should do the following in the semester preceding the program:

• Go to the International Studies Office on the second floor of Minor Hall or visit their website for information and advising about study abroad
• Apply through ISO for study abroad; students can apply online
• Fill out a Study Abroad Course Approval Form, available at the ISO
• Contact Mark Elson, the Department DUP, for an advising appointment
• Take the signed Study Abroad Course Approval Form to Gloria Gates, 201-C Monroe Hall

Details

• Students earn twelve UVa credits
• Institute runs eight weeks
• Instruction emphasizes speaking, listening, reading and writing
• Class meets M-F 8:30-11:30, 12:30-3:30 and 4:00-5:30
• Tutoring, conversation practice and cultural activities are scheduled each weekday evening
• The summer intensive institute is open to non-UVa students and offers several advantages:
• Permits UVa students to enroll in RUSS 3010 and RUSS 3020 in the academic year following the institute
• Prepares students to benefit fully from study abroad
• Provides graduate students with the opportunity to gain competency in Russian rapidly
• Enables undergraduates who decide late to major in the Department to do so

How to Apply

Apply online: Summer Language Institute Website

Faculty

The faculty of the Russian Summer Language Institute are regular faculty and graduate students of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.