Activities in St. Petersburg
The former Tsarist capital of Russia has gone through tremendous changes since its name reverted from Leningrad to St.Petersburg. The city, which was founded in 1703 to be a window to the West, is once again becoming Russia's gateway to Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In view of the many problems which have arisen since the end of the former communist regime, it comes as no surprise that St.Petersburg today is a city with many different faces. The results, both positive and negative, of the recent developments mark the face of the city as much as the countless palaces and the beautiful river channels which inspired Dostoyevksy while writing his novels.
Modern St.Petersburg is home to 5 million people and thus one of the largest cities in Europe. In Russia it comes second only after Moscow in terms of size and importance. With its access to the Baltic sea ensuring a direct link to Western Europe, St.Petersburg has the ambitious plan of becoming Russia's premier trade and service center. Despite huge economic difficulties and personal hardships, the people of St.Petersburg are hoping for a better future and are striving towards this goal.
Our cultural program
To ensure our students have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with this magnificent city, we organize at least two outings a week, such as theater visits (opera/drama/ballet), theme excursions (e.g. on Russian orthodoxy, Catherine the Great), trips to the Hermitage, shopping tours and excursions to the countryside and to other cities, such as Pushkin, Pavlovsk, Novgorod or Moscow. In addition, students have the chance to see the other St.Petersburg. A weekend at a dacha during summer time, so called vetcherinkas, small and pleasant parties with caviar, vodka and Russian folk songs, or the experience of a Russian bath rounded off our extracurricular activities. What is actually scheduled depends on the season. Participants will receive a by-weekly program of the activities organized by the school.
