OUR PROGRAMS

Eurasian Regional Language Program

The Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP) provides high-quality language instruction, specially designed cultural programs, and expert logistical support to participants studying the languages of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Russia (temporarily suspended), Ukraine, and Moldova.


About The Program

The Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP) offers intensive, highly-individualized instruction in more than 15 Eurasian languages, including Armenian, Azerbaijani, Dari, Farsi, Georgian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Romanian, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Uzbek. Through homestays, cultural activities, and conversation partners, participants enjoy an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in daily local life while receiving ongoing support and guidance from American Councils expert, overseas staff.

Academic Courses

The ERLP academic program is designed to improve students' oral, listening, and reading proficiency in the language of study. Course work typically includes classes in phonetics, grammar, and conversation as well as composition, oral comprehension, and reading. Language courses also cover topics in literature, history, politics, culture, mass media, and area studies.

Depending on the program site and term, students are either enrolled in small group classes or receive individualized instruction. Students receive approximately 15-20 hours per week of in-class contact hours. All classes are conducted in the target language by full-time faculty from leading local universities and educational institutions who have extensive experience teaching foreign students.

Participants receive academic credit through Bryn Mawr College, an institutional member of American Councils. Upon successful completion of the program, Bryn Mawr College issues:

  • 8 undergraduate/10 graduate credit hours for the summer program,

  • 16 undergraduate/15 graduate credit hours for the fall or spring semesters, and

  • 32 undergraduate/30 graduate credit hours for the academic year program.

Languages & Locations

ERLP currently offers programming for the following languages and locations:

  • Almaty, Kazakhstan: Kazakh

  • Baku, Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani, Turkish

  • Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz

  • Chisinau, Moldova: Romanian, Ukrainian

  • Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Pashto, Persian (Dari/Farsi/Tajiki), Uzbek

  • Kyiv, Ukraine (temporarily suspended): Ukrainian

  • Tbilisi, Georgia: Georgian, Ukrainian

  • Various Cities, Russia (temporarily suspended): Bashkir, Buryat, Tatar, Yakut

  • Yerevan, Armenia: Armenian

Eligibility / Prerequisites

  • Open to undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals who have completed at least two semesters of college-level instruction or the equivalent in the target language, Russian, or a related language.

  • Minimum GPA of 2.7

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline.

Excursions/Cultural Activities

As part of the program, participants engage in a number of excursions and cultural activities. Activities outside the classroom are designed to give participants a deeper understanding of life, culture, and history in the host country. While excursions and activities vary from year to year and by location, past participants have enjoyed excursions to the following sites: Hissor Fortress (Tajikistan), Tbilisi City Museum (Georgia), Charyn Canyon (Kazakhstan), Pyrohiv, the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (Ukraine), Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (Azerbaijan), Lake Sevan (Armenia), Old Orhei Monastery (Moldova), Ala Archa National Park (Kyrgyzstan), Underground Museum of Permafrost (Yakutsk, Russia).

Conversation Partners

To aid cultural integration and support academic learning, participants have the opportunity to meet with conversation partners two hours per week. Conversation partners introduce participants to local people, accompany participants on sightseeing tours, organize cultural activities (cinema, museum, etc.), and provide students with academic support. The conversation partners are expected to speak only the target language.

Volunteer Opportunities

Program participants are encouraged to pursue volunteer opportunities in their host country. American Councils staff can provide advice and assistance in identifying volunteer opportunities in fields which are of interests to students. Engaging with the local community offers a unique insight into the host country society, rich cultural experience a deeper sense of personal fulfillment.

Housing & Meals

All program participants live with a local host family for the duration of the program. Living with a host family provides valuable cultural experience to complement the academic program. Host families expose participants to authentic, everyday life in the host country while also providing a supportive environment for students. While staying with a host family, participants are provided with a private room, two meals per day, and keys to the apartment or house. All host families are screened, selected, and monitored by American Councils staff.

Financial Aid 

Multiple sources of financial aid are available to prospective study abroad participants to help pay for programs abroad, including private, federal, university, and American Councils scholarships. Learn more here.  

Support Services

All program participants are required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. at the start of the program. Orientation sessions address health and safety, academic culture, host-family life, culture shock, and strategies to maximize language gain. Students will also have a chance to meet and get to know fellow participants during the orientation. Lodging and meals will be provided. Upon arrival in the host country, participants attend an informative in-country orientation.

While overseas, participants have access to in-country program staff that provide around-the-clock emergency support. The local American Councils office, employing both expatriates and host-country nationals, arrange the academic program/internship placement, cultural excursions, housing, in-country orientation, and medical care. During the program, the AC Study Abroad Team in Washington, D.C. stays in close contact via email and telephone with in-country program staff and provides updates as needed to study abroad offices, university partners, and family members.

Participants are enrolled in comprehensive overseas health, accident, and evacuation insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) for the duration of the program. CISI provides medical coverage of up to $250,000 per accident or illness. Enrollment in the CISI plan also provides full coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

All participants are provided with a single-entry visa (if applicable) to the host-country for the duration of the academic program. It is the student's responsibility to obtain any other visas required by their individual itineraries. Visa application information and forms are provided upon acceptance to the program.

 

Program Snapshot

Language of Instruction

Regional Eurasian Languages

Program Locations

9 countries throughout Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia

Program Dates

Spring 2024
January 22 - May 10, 2024

Summer 2024
June 10, 2024 - August 2, 2024

Fall 2024
September 2 - December 13, 2024

Spring 2025
January 27 - May 9, 2025

Dates are approximate and may vary slightly depending on country. Start dates mark the pre-departure orientation.

Program Cost (excludes international airfare)*

  • Summer: $6,900

  • Semester: $15,800

  • Academic Year: $28,800

*If obtaining a host country visa requires an in-person interview at the host country embassy in Washington, DC, students will be responsible for the cost of travel to and lodging in Washington, DC

Application Deadlines:

  • Summer: February 15

  • Fall & Academic Year: March 15

  • Spring Semester: October 15

Program Eligibility

  • At least two semesters of college-level instruction or the equivalent in the target language, Russian, or a related language.

  • Minimum GPA of 2.7

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline

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