Old Riga majestically trails a train of legends and compliments. The city is famed for its history and culture, architectural monuments and unique charm. Films about noble brigands and brave intelligence officers, about kind wizards and mysterious treasures were shot here. The capital of Latvia is also famous for its educational institutions. Some trace their lineage back through the centuries, while others are just now rapidly gaining height. Many students from various countries have always studied in Riga. And today we will talk about one of the most famous universities in Latvia - the Baltic Russian Institute (BRI). The presentation of the International Educational Program of this institution took place in early October in Kyiv.
It is not so often that a presentation of a foreign educational institution is held under the patronage of that state's embassy in Ukraine. But, opening the meeting of media representatives and guests from Latvia, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Latvia to Ukraine, Andris Vilcans, noted that 'the dynamic development of society clearly indicates that a country's intellectual resources are more significant than natural ones. That is why Latvia has always paid much attention to raising the level of education. Today, there are 493 students per 10,000 residents, which places Latvia third in the world by this indicator after Canada and the USA. Education according to European standards, preparation of the intellectual elite - these are the priorities that our country is bringing to the forefront today.'
Currently, Latvia has 33 higher education institutions. In the country's state universities, instruction is conducted only in Latvian. Since 2004, the school reform has also provided for this approach. However, Latvia's higher education system tries to take into account the interests of ethnic diasporas, because 40% of the country's population belongs to national minorities. Non-state educational institutions are called upon to play the main role in this process. The Baltic Russian Institute was one of the first to create an education model based on the principles of interethnic tolerance and market conditions.
The Baltic Russian Institute is today the largest non-state higher education institution in the Baltic states. Its highlights include a genuinely European level of teaching in... Russian! Tell me, where else abroad can you study at a higher education institution in Russian? And not under a shortened program of a Russian university? So perhaps it makes sense to take a closer look at the possibility of obtaining higher education in Riga?
Europe, but with a familiar face
'Our institute recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of its educational activity,' says the rector of BRI, Associate Professor Stanislav Buka. 'The Baltic Russian Institute provides instruction under accredited programs and since 2000 has received full indefinite state accreditation with the right to issue state-recognized diplomas of the Republic of Latvia. Today we have more than 7,500 students, including about 500 foreign students from 17 countries. There are still few Ukrainian students - only 15 people, but we are watching with interest the growing interest of Ukrainian citizens in the opportunity to obtain higher education in Latvia.'
Today, BRI includes 14 computer classes and a separate web studio, 15 reading halls, eight branches in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and 600 teachers and staff. BRI lecturers participate in the work of the European Association for International Education (EAIE). Every year, as part of academic exchange, foreign lecturers from Russia, Belarus, Denmark, Poland, the USA, and the Netherlands give lectures to BRI students.
'Studying abroad always causes certain psychological difficulties,' believes Stanislav Buka. 'This is the notorious language barrier, a different mentality and cultural environment, separation from family and old friends. Sometimes the first semester in another country turns into serious stress for a student. In this regard, studying in Riga, in my opinion, is a successful symbiosis of a truly European level of education and, so to speak, a familiar related language environment. Instruction is conducted in Russian or English, and in the city itself you can still communicate in Russian. And finally, Riga is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is Europe, but with a familiar face. And just a half-hour drive away are the world-famous beaches of Jurmala!'
It is no coincidence that the motto of the Baltic Russian Institute is: 'Study in Riga - live and work in Europe!' For most parents and applicants, one of the fundamental points when choosing a specialty is its demand and prospects, and when choosing an educational institution - its significance in international circles.
The question of international recognition of the obtained diploma still worries many. Currently, according to the rector, BRI diplomas are recognized not only in the Baltic states, but also in EU countries, as well as in CIS countries, the USA and Australia. The basis for this is the Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications. In all countries that have signed it, including Latvia, there is an Academic Information Centre. Through the information database of this centre, you can find out whether a particular university is accredited in the country of interest. And if this university has received accreditation at home, then other countries participating in the Lisbon Convention have no reason not to recognize the diploma. However, different states may impose additional requirements for some so-called regulated professions. So if you are a lawyer, doctor, veterinarian or architect, be prepared for possible difficulties. At present, all universities in Latvia are accredited for different periods - from two years to full accreditation.
To make it easier for students to find employment and simplify the procedure for recognizing diplomas abroad, Latvia signed the Bologna Declaration in 1999. The education system is being converted not so much to grades as to credit points. Each country has its own knowledge assessment system, but credit points show what discipline and to what extent a student has studied.
Steps of the ladder of success
Education at BRI is structured according to the European system: the first stage of higher education (college) - bachelor's degree - master's degree. The institute also has a preparatory department, a program for obtaining a second higher education, and evening and correspondence forms of study. Instruction is conducted in Russian, Latvian, and English streams.
BRI College offers the following educational programs: small business economics (specialization - tourism business management, qualification - specialist in commercial services), jurisprudence (qualification - legal assistant), environmental design (specializations - advertising design, interior design and web design, qualification - designer). The duration of study is 2-2.5 years. College graduates can continue their education by becoming third-year students at BRI.
But still, the majority of applicants enroll directly in the institute. BRI includes the following faculties: law, management and economics, and cultural studies. Among the undoubted advantages of studying at BRI is the relatively low cost - 1,200-1,300 euros per year. In addition, two partner banks provide active financial support to foreign students: the Ukrainian PrivatBank and the Latvian Paritate Bank. This includes partial or even full financing of tuition, transferring money to a student's account, and much more. You can learn more about the training program and admission rules at BRI by visiting the university's website www.bki.lv.
International Projects of BRI
All BRI study programs are accredited by international experts. But there are also unique international projects. First and foremost is the joint program between BRI and the European Business School. It is intended for school graduates who wish to obtain higher education taking into account the requirements of the European market. The European Business School is a group of European business schools located in France (ebs-Paris), Germany (eba-Munchen), Italy (ebs-Milano), Ireland (ebs-Dublin), England (ebs-London), Spain (ebs-Madrid) and Russia (ebs-Kaliningrad).
The uniqueness of this program is as follows. Students study for two to three years at BRI (in Riga) and one to two years in two European countries with mandatory attendance at multilingual ebs-schools. During the period of study abroad, students do internships in firms specializing in their field. This combination of education and practical work in the future specialty creates a truly modern specialist.
The Baltic Russian Institute successfully cooperates with 20 higher educational institutions from different countries. Among the most well-known are Lomonosov Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics, UNESCO (UN) Institute for Information Technologies in Education, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (RATI - GITIS), and the University of Warsaw.
What does this cooperation give the student? For example, together with the Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics, joint preparation of students is conducted in the specialties of management and jurisprudence. Training takes place at BRI in Riga and in all its branches according to mutually agreed curricula over four years. Those studying under the joint program are students of two universities: BRI and MESI. Academic disciplines mastered at BRI are also counted at MESI. For subjects that are not studied at BRI, training is carried out independently using MESI materials, with the help of consultant teachers from BRI. Exams and tests are taken at BRI to certified teachers. After completing the study program and defending their thesis in Riga, the student is issued a diploma of higher professional education from BRI and a state diploma of a specialist from the Russian Federation.
And since September 1, 2000, on the basis of an agreement between MSU and BRI, a joint training program has been opened for specialists in economics, psychology, journalism, and public relations. BRI students enrolled in the program who have excelled in the curriculum can, on an individual basis, transfer after the first or second year to complete their studies at MSU. Thesis defenses will be held at MSU with the participation of BRI representatives. Upon graduation, students receive state diplomas from MSU and BRI.
Instead of storming the walls of GITIS, you can calmly finish BRI and obtain the coveted GITIS diploma.
Student Life
According to the rector, studying at a university by definition implies comprehensive, harmonious development of the personality. In ancient times, universities were not only beacons of reason, but also centers of culture. That is why a student parliament operates successfully at the institute. Humanities students can try their hand at advertising and computer graphics, journalism (the student newspaper "BRItva", the professional magazine for advertisers and marketers "Ad&Pr") and fine arts (the art gallery "BRI-art"), shine on the stage of the professional studio theater "KaBRIolet" or in the music salon "KoliBRI". Tech students will choose classes at the driving school "BRI-auto" or devote all their efforts to sports sections - basketball, boxing, wrestling. Well, and for everyone who came to study in this charming city - the romantic streets of ancient Riga, live jazz in old taverns, golden sand of Jurmala beaches... The Baltic Russian Institute in Latvia is known and loved by many - both its graduates and those for whom these graduates work. Sometimes BRI students even joke with newcomers: interesting, what do you think, why is the main street of Riga called Brivibas ("freedom")?
Our life is changing rapidly. Already next year Latvia will become a member of the EU. Well, what this will give students who live and study in Riga, I think, need not be explained.