Saint Louis University has taught Russian studies for more than 50 years and is the only institution in the St. Louis region that provides a major in Russian studies. Russian is often in the news from political scandals and international hacking incidents to interference in regional and global conflicts and sanctions by the international community. Yet Russia remains a leading player on the world stage, since it covers about one-eighth of the world's surface with lands that are rich in oil and natural resources. Bordering more than a dozen nations in Europe and Asia (many of which were once part of its empire), it has a strong military force with nuclear capabilities, but students who visit the nation find that its residents share the same economic, environmental and security issues that face the rest of the globe.<br><br>There is a demand for Russian speakers in several expanding and in-demand fields, including intelligence, law, political science, computer science and cybersecurity, as well as various opportunities for graduates of the Russian studies program to receive federal grants to further study the language. Current and former SLU students have earned prominent scholarships (Fulbright-Hays, Fulbright, STARTALK and Critical Languages) and have advanced to professional and graduate programs in Russian and East European studies, diplomacy, social work, law, medicine and political science at leading institutions across the country. Our graduates work in a range of sectors and professions, including the armed services, business, health care, intelligence, federal services and NGOs.