Riga - Russian Language School Trip

Day 1 - Fly to Riga, Guided Walking Tour

Begin your language immersion experience in Riga by transferring from the airport to your hotel. After settling in, embark on a guided walking tour of Riga's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Listen to the tour guide’s explanations in Russian, enhancing your language comprehension skills.

Key stops include The Dannenstern House, the “Three Brothers,” and Riga Castle, where students can practise reading and understanding historical Russian texts that often accompany these sites. The Powder Tower, with its exhibits on Latvia’s military and political history, provides additional context for understanding the region’s complex relationship with Russia. Your walking tour will pause at the Swedish Gate, the only remaining gate from Riga’s city walls. Built in 1698 under Swedish rule, it’s now a physical reminder of Riga’s amalgamation into the Swedish Empire.

Stop at Riga Central Market. It’s one of Europe’s largest markets and one of Latvia’s key 20th-century structures—it is made from five hangars that once housed old German Zeppelins. Popular with locals, it is an excellent place to practise your language skills.

End the day with a panoramic view of the city from the spire of St. Peter's Church, where students can reflect on the role of Riga as a crossroads of different cultures and languages.

Day 2 - Russian language class, National History Museum of Latvia, and Secret Soviet Bunker

Begin the day with the first of two Russian language lessons in Riga. Travel a short distance to our Russian language school, where your students will take a class carefully designed to match their language abilities and needs.

After school finishes, students head out and delve deeper into Latvia’s history with a visit to the National History Museum of Latvia. The museum offers exhibitions that are often accompanied by Russian-language descriptions, allowing students to further practise their reading skills. The “Founders of the Republic of Latvia” exhibit presents a valuable opportunity to explore Russian-language sources on Latvia’s history, especially concerning the impact of World War I and the Soviet era.

Later, the focus shifts to Soviet history with a visit to the Secret Soviet Bunker in Ligatne. This underground facility, built for the Soviet elite during the Cold War, is an excellent setting for students to learn about Soviet-era terminology and phrases, as well as the cultural context of life in the Eastern Bloc. Guided tours are available in Russian, providing a practical setting for listening comprehension and a deeper understanding of how Russian language and culture permeated life in Soviet Latvia.

Day 3 - Russian language class, Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and Museum of the Barricades of 1991

This morning, it’s time for the second of your intensive Russian courses. Develop your students' skills in conversation, or focus on reading and vocabulary building, ready for making the most of the materials available in the museums you will visit this afternoon.

This afternoon, continue your exploration of Soviet and post-Soviet history with visits to two significant museums. The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia offers a comprehensive view of the periods of Nazi and Soviet occupation, with exhibits that often include Russian-language materials. This is an excellent opportunity for students to analyse and discuss complex historical narratives in Russian, deepening their understanding of the language in historical contexts.

Next, visit the Museum of the Barricades of 1991, which documents the non-violent resistance that played a crucial role in Latvia’s fight for independence. The museum features footage, readings, and firsthand accounts available in Russian, providing students with an intimate look at how the Russian language was used both by the oppressors and the resistors during these critical events. This visit offers a unique chance to explore the linguistic nuances of protest language and the role of Russian in shaping political discourse in Latvia.

Day 4 - Departure and Final Reflections

On your final day in Riga, students have the option to explore a number of museums. The Corner House, the former headquarters of the Soviet KGB, provides chilling insights into Soviet control mechanisms. The Paul Stradins Medicine History Museum and the Riga Motor Museum also offer Russian-language descriptions, making them excellent choices for those interested in technical and scientific vocabulary.

For students focused on Jewish history or the Jewish experience in Latvia, visiting the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum, the Zanis Lipke Memorial, or the Jewish Museum can provide a deep understanding of how Russian was used in these communities, particularly during the Soviet period.

Finish your Russian language school trip to Riga with a transfer to the airport, reflecting on how this experience has enriched your understanding of the Russian language and its complex historical significance in Latvia.