The Baltic countries provide a fascinating learning laboratory for studying democracy, national security, and the dynamics of language and culture. The unique perspective of these Baltic nations results from their distinctive geographic location, positioned between Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia.

All students in the program will take a broad survey covering the history and culture of the Baltic region, incorporating guest lectures by a stellar range of local scholars. The government curriculum will focus on gaining a greater understanding of democratization, ethnic group dynamics, and security concerns in the region.  Although the Baltic states are now EU and NATO members, the history of the Baltic states is closely intertwined with that of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Students studying Russian language in these countries will appreciate the long and complicated history of contacts with Russia, as well as the crucial perspective of a formerly colonized nation. 

The program will be centrally based in Riga, Latvia. However, students will gain exposure to all three Baltic countries via an extended stay in Tallinn and a trip to Lithuania during the final week of the term.