Protecting Children Protecting Nature

An opportunity for Intensive Study and Practice.
This years Course 27 June – 25 July 2012

We offer intensive Russian Language courses at Advanced, Intermediate and Beginners levels. The month-long course is held at Orion. The small and friendly environment gives you plenty of opportunity to practice conversation and interact with the residents and their children.

There’s a maximum of five people per group, and you receive ten hours of tuition a week. After your class in the mornings, you can join in activities such as cooking, gardening, and playing with the children so you’ll be actively learning the language throughout the day. In the summer, Orion hosts many volunteers so there is a lively atmosphere. Evenings are sure to end with singing round a bonfire, Russian style!

Go to What to Expect to find out more about Orion.
You can stay on for up to two months longer as a volunteer if you wish to. Let us know if you want to do this.

How is this different from all the other Russian Language Courses on offer?

Nowhere else will you have 24-hours a day immersion in Russian language. From morning till night, you can interact with Russian children, their parents and teachers. Read our students' Testimonials

Your tutor is Yulya Lyubimtseva a member of Orion Community. She is a linguist and a specialist in Russian Literature. She will give you individual attention and expert tuition in Russian Grammar, Language and Literature. Additional classes can be arranged for those who want to immerse themselves in Language study, but this does require a high level of commitment. Let us know when applying if you are interested.

Dates, Booking and Costs

Beginners & Intermediate Russian Courses (2 groups):
27 June 2012 - 25 July 2012

Cost:
4 week course: £1,335* includes 40 hours tuition, accommodation with full board, transfer from Moscow airport and back, visa support and pre-departure preparation.

Additional month(s) as a volunteer £130 per month plus £95 for an extended visa.

*This does not include the Russian consular visa fee, travel insurance and airfare to Moscow.

To Apply, download the Introductory Questionnaire Word document here Read More > and return it to volunteers@ecologia.org.uk. Or for more information contact us.

Volunteers at Orion 2011

This summer several foreign volunteers lived in Orion. They studied Russian with Julia Lubimtseva and Ekaterina Shumeiko, worked with us, taught children English. We are grateful to Sofia, Joshua, Kamila, Lindsay, Natalie, and Jade for being with us!

Sofia and Josh were in Orion for longer than the others. They weren’t just guests, they became a part of our community. We miss them very much and look forward to seeing them again!

Before leaving Sofia and Josh made up 10 Commandments on how to survive in Orion for more than 24 hours. Here they are:

1) If you don’t want to make friends, don’t invite yourself over for tea!
2) If you don’t understand something the parents said or did, don’t ask; you might just get an answer!
3) If you don’t want to be involved, don’t ask to help!
4) If you don’t want to learn Russian, don’t talk to anyone in the community!
5) If you don’t want to understand the mindset of the Russians, don’t let go of your own!
6) If you don’t want to have fun, don’t play with the kids!
7) If you don’t want to smell bad, don’t work on the farm!
8) If you want to die from exhaustion, don’t tell anyone you need a break from work!
9) If you don’t like to eat, be late to meals!
10) If you don’t want to challenge your previous conceptions of reality, don’t leave your room!