Crimea is the most southern region of Russia which nowadays is becoming pretty popular among foreign students interested in studying abroad. Its many schools, colleges and universities have the highest, 4th accreditation level and attract lots of students from near and far. The graduates of Crimean universities pursue careers in different countries all over the world. Many of the institutions co-operate with other major universities and reputable schools around the world. If you do not speak and understand Russian, first you will need to learn the language before you enroll. There are excellent language schools in Simferopol and some of the universities offer their own language courses and programs.

Crimea occupies the Crimean peninsula located on the northern coast of the Black Sea and the west coast of the Sea of Azov. It is now a parliamentary republic but till 2014 the Crimean peninsula belonged to Ukraine. Ukraine is bordered by Russia as well as by six more countries: Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Crimea is connected to the main body of Ukraine by the narrow Isthmus of Perekop. Apart from this narrow isthmus it is surrounded by sea.

The climate of Crimea is of a temperate, continental nature. The areas in the southern region experience humid weather created by the Black Sea. Winters are milder in the south due to the moderating effect from the Black sea. The average temperature in summer can be as high as +30° Celsius (86° F) and it can be as low as -15°C (5°F) in winter. Though winters in the south are milder dropping to 4°C (39°F). Due to this moderate climate the southern coast of Crimea is very popular with tourists.

The capital city of Crimea is Simferopol located inland from the Southern and Western coast, about one third of the way into the region from the South. Most universities and academies are located here, as well as in Sevastopol on the Western seaboard SW of the capital and also in Yalta, a major city on the Southern coastline. Crimea has a well-developed public transport network, highways connect all major cities, buses run between all of the cities and towns here and a trolley bus connects Simferopol with Yalta, so getting around is not a problem.

There is so much to do and see in this thriving part of the world! Here are just a few places to mention: The Livadia Palace was a summer residence for Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia and is a wonderful example of Neo-Renaissance architecture. It is built from white granite quarried in Crimea. The Vorontsov Palace is considered to be one of the largest and oldest residences in Crimea built in 1828-1848. Mount Mithridat is located in Eastern Crimea near the city of Kerch. It has a staircase built to the top with terraces by the Italian architect Alexander Digby in 1833 to 1840. The Scythe Treasure is located near Kerch, too. It is an ancient barrow or burial ground built three to four hundred years BC most likely by the Greeks. Hundreds of artifacts have been recovered there, including the grave of a king. The Swallow's Nest castle known as the symbol of Crimea is perched on the cliffs near Yalta. It was built in 1911-12, in the Neo-Gothic style. Chersonesus is an ancient city of Greek origin built five hundred years BC near Sevastopol.