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Russian and East European Institute 
A Letter of Greeting from David Ransel,
outgoing Director of REEI
and Robert F. Byrnes Professor of History
Greetings,
I am pleased to learn of your interest in the Indiana University Russian
and East European Institute (REEI). This is an exciting time in the history
of international affairs. The peoples of the former Soviet Union, East
Central and Southeastern Europe are redefining themselves as nations,
struggling to build enterprises that can compete in the global economy,
and freely contributing their creative talents to the world of art and
culture. The countries of East Central Europe and the Baltics are entering
the European Union and operating within an entirely new economic and political
context. At REEI we follow these developments closely and assist students
in acquiring the languages, analytical tools, and basic knowledge they
need to succeed in this area of study. Like many of our students, you
may have spent some time in the region, studying, touring, or working
as a Peace Corps volunteer. The REEI degree will give you the additional
academic, linguistic, and professional qualifications you need to build
a successful career. If you have not been to the region and have until
now been studying the languages and cultures of the area here in the United
States, REEI offers opportunities to travel, study, and intern abroad
in connection with your study program.
It must be difficult to decide which of the several programs of graduate
training in Russian and East European studies best fits your needs. I
know that many things enter into such a choice, personal considerations
as well as academic ones. It may be helpful if I point out some features
that differentiate the REEI program from others you are considering.
Language Instruction:
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Indiana offers instruction in more languages of the region than does
any other university. Between our top-ranked Department of Slavic Languages
and our unique Department of Central Eurasian Studies, students can
choose from at least fourteen area languages.
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Indiana is the only university in the United States at which students
can earn a master’s degree focusing not only on the standard areas of
Russian, Polish, Czech, and South Slavics studies, but also on less
commonly taught areas like Hungary, Romania, the Baltics, or the Caucasus.
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Indiana’s Summer Language Workshop, the largest in the world, gives
you an opportunity to add proficiency in a second area language.
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Indiana offers advanced levels of instruction in more languages than
any other university. We include sixth-year Russian and a third year
of most East European languages.
Cost Considerations:
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Indiana students receive high quality instruction at very reasonable
prices. Our tuition rates are far lower than private institutions and
lower than other state institutions with programs in Russian and East
European area studies. For the 2008-09 academic year, tuition and fees
for one year of graduate study at Indiana run just under $21,000 (12
credit hrs./semester) for non-Indiana residents, just under $8,000 for
in-state students. For current rates, please refer to the Office
of the Bursar's Rates and Policies page.
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Many fellowships and assistantships support students at Indiana each
year.
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The Summer Language Workshop offers in-state tuition rates to all
students, whether they are from Indiana or not.
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The cost of living in Bloomington is lower than in most other U.S.
cities.
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The combination of low tuition and low cost of living adds up to an
unmatched bargain for training at a top-ranked program like REEI.
Intellectual Atmosphere
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REEI is a community of scholars, students, and international visitors
who are engaged in learning about and discussing the most important
questions facing the peoples of the former Soviet Union, East Central
and Southeastern Europe.
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Our studies and discussions are thoroughly interdisciplinary. You
will interact with faculty and students in a wide range of fields from
anthropology to politics, history, high culture and popular culture,
environmental studies, public administration, library and information
science, business, and law.
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Major figures from the region often visit Indiana University. In the
past several years, we have welcomed Mikhail Gorbachev (former president
of the USSR), Lech Wałesa (leader of Poland’s Solidarity opposition
and later president of Poland) and Adam Michnik (jailed Solidarity activist
and now publisher of Poland’s most popular newspaper), to name just
the most prominent. The ambassadors and general consuls of the countries
we study are frequent visitors to Indiana University.
Career Services:
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Job placement is a high priority in our program. We pride ourselves
on doing all we can to identify employment opportunities for our graduates
and to assist them in their job applications.
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REEI regularly sends current domestic and international internship
and job announcements to its students and alumni.
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Other career resources include an online subscription of employment
opportunities in the fields of conflict management, human rights, international
development, law, government and the nonprofit sector.
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Students receive individual assistance from an advisor when researching
internship, study abroad and employment opportunities.
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REEI graduates are working in the United States and dozens of foreign
countries. They are employed by the US Department of State and other
government offices, plus a wide variety of non-governmental organizations,
and in business, university administration, and other fields.
The information on our website will answer many of your questions about
our graduate degree programs and application procedures. We are happy
to respond to any other questions you may have. You can contact us by
phone or e-mail. Best of all would be a personal meeting at Indiana University
if you have an opportunity to visit Bloomington. We can show you around
our beautiful campus, introduce you to students and faculty members, and
discuss in detail your plans for study and career.
Sincerely,
David Ransel
Director
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