My name is Ben Francis, and I am a student at Northwestern University.  My hometown is Medford Lakes, New Jersey.  During the summer before my sophomore year, I am traveling to Irkutsk, Russia, to participate in a 6-week study abroad program focused on Russian language study.  This is my first time leaving the United States, so I am very excited about this opportunity.  This blog will document my adventures in Russia.

I would like to thank the Northwestern University Office of the Provost for generously awarding me with its Undergraduate Language Grant to help fund my studies in Russia and for creating this blog for me.

GRANT:

Ben is traveling on an Undergraduate Language Grant given by the Office of the Provost.  This grant provides a  stipend  for living expenses while students devote themselves to intensive language instruction.

The Undergrad Research Blogs are sponsored by the Office of the Provost.