My time at BORN in Riga was an immensely rewarding return to serious Russian study. I came seeking to revive my fading language skills and left with renewed confidence, a deeper understanding of the culture, and meaningful personal connections. The school’s individualized instruction, combined with the immersive experience of living with a Russian-speaking host family, made for a powerful and effective learning environment. Riga itself—with its unique blend of history, modernity, and Russian-language presence—provided the perfect backdrop. What I found at BORN was more than a language program; it was a personal and intellectual journey I’m deeply grateful to have taken.
John, USA, May
When I first arrived I was unable to read, write or speak a single word of Russian other than “привет” and by the end of my stay I was well into A2 level and could understand the vast majority of everyday conversations and had all lessons 100% in Russian
Marcus, Sweden, June
When Martyna set out from the UK for her year abroad, she didn’t just want a language course. She wanted challenge, progress, and an experience that felt truly immersive. After researching language schools across Europe, one stood out: Russian Language Academy BORN in Riga. “The structure of BORN’s program immediately stood out to me,” Martyna recalls. “It just felt different — focused, personal, and highly communicative. I later found out I was absolutely right.”
Martyna, UK, April
Read full interview with Martyna to get inspired.
With each day, as I grew more confident with my Russian, so too grew my love for the city of Riga. Apart from all the Russian I learned at BORN, if I could say one thing about my time there, it would be the absolute Winter Wonderland that Riga is in the winter. For anyone considering studying Russian at BORN, I wholeheartedly recommend it—not just for their excellent instruction, but for the chance to experience Riga, an undiscovered gem that will capture your heart!
Jonathan, USA, January 2025
I was very satisfied with the flexibility of my teachers. They adapted their teaching to my personal needs and goals and were encouraging every step of the way. During my Russian language private lessons, I enjoyed the combination of grammar lessons and more conversation-based teaching. Even after just a few days, I felt that I could speak more freely and with fewer mistakes.
Both the school staff and teachers were very welcoming and helpful. I was also extremely satisfied with my Russian host family. Both the Russian language lessons and living with the host family were wonderful experiences!
Viktor, Sweden, January 2025
I definitely recommend studying at Russian Language Academy BORN as you will not believe the amount of progress you will make, even if you are only studying there for a short amount of time. My teachers were encouraging and supportive for the whole duration of my 12 weeks stay. I feel that they taught me in a way which allowed me to access the language like I never had before.
Read the full interview with Leila to get inspired for your upcoming Russian language course with RLA BORN.
Leila, UK, November