Academics

Academics Overview

The Bard-AUCA study abroad program offers intellectually adventurous students a unique opportunity to study side by side, in English, with peers from 25 different countries at the region's most prestigious university.

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Academics at AUCA

A semester or year at AUCA offers unparalleled opportunities: the chance to study alongside students from all over the world in academically rigorous classes; explore this historically and culturally fascinating region through excursions, homestays, and independent travel; and choose from among eight languages to study, including Kyrgyz and Russian, the two languages spoken in Bishkek.

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AUCA-Bard Study Abroad Program Tracks

Beginning Russian Language

The Beginning Russian Language Track focuses on developing students’ reading, conversation, oral comprehension, and writing skills, from the introduction to Cyrillic alphabet and Russian cursive to the foundations of grammar, syntax, and everyday idiomatic speech. Students will earn four Russian language credits with the remaining credits being earned in academic courses of their choice.
Beginning Russian Language

The Beginning Russian Language Track focuses on developing students’ reading, conversation, oral comprehension, and writing skills, from the introduction to Cyrillic alphabet and Russian cursive to the foundations of grammar, syntax, and everyday idiomatic speech. Students will earn four Russian language credits with the remaining credits being earned in academic courses of their choice.
- One-week Russian Intensive - the program begins with a one-week intensive Russian course to introduce students to daily life in Bishkek, acquainting them with the city and local customs.
- Beginning Russian Language Course - students will take 4 credits of Russian language each semester. The course offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the basics of conversational Russian within a well-structured linguistic curriculum while experiencing the everyday life and culture of Kyrgyzstan's most Russian-speaking city.
- Russian-speaking Homestays - students will have the option of staying with Russian-speaking families or living in a dormitory with AUCA peers, providing the opportunity to speak Russian daily outside of class and interact with the language and culture in a real-world context.
- Enrollment in 3-4 academic courses from among the variety of courses taught at AUCA, which include many courses in Russian, Central Asian and Post-Soviet area studies. Most academic courses are taught in English, but students are welcome to enroll in courses taught in Russian, which include studio art, theater and physical education offerings.
- A cultural program, which will explore the culture, history, customs, cuisine and natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan and its diverse population. The cultural program includes bi-weekly organized events with outings to the specific theaters.
- Participation in student clubs, extracurricular activities and civic engagement projects with Russian-speaking peers from across Central Asia.
- Volunteering and internship opportunities at various organizations in Bishkek.
Intermediate and Advanced Russian Language

The Intermediate and Advanced Russian Language Track is open to students with one year of college-level Russian. Students will use Russian in and out of the classroom, in home-stays, with student peers, and in daily life. With a rich history and culture of its own, a shared-Soviet experience and common customs and cultural traditions which transcend borders, Kyrgyzstan is a fascinating place to study Russian outside of the European context and experience post-Soviet society.
Intermediate and Advanced Russian Language

The Intermediate and Advanced Russian Language Track is open to students with one year of college-level Russian. Students will use Russian in and out of the classroom, in home-stays, with student peers, and in daily life. With a rich history and culture of its own, a shared-Soviet experience and common customs and cultural traditions which transcend borders, Kyrgyzstan is a fascinating place to study Russian outside of the European context and experience post-Soviet society.
- One-week Russian Intensive - the program begins with a one-week intensive Russian course to introduce students to daily life in Bishkek, acquainting them with the city and local customs.
- Russian Language Courses - students will take between 9 and 11 credits of Russian language each semester. Courses are designed to build proficiency and help students work towards mastery of Russian, taking advantage of Bishkek's Russian-language environment. Students also have weekly meetings with an AUCA Russian language peer tutor.
- Russian-speaking Homestays - students will have the option of staying with Russian-speaking families or living in a dormitory with AUCA peers, providing the opportunity to speak Russian daily outside of class and interact with the language and culture in a real-world context.
- Enrollment in 2-3 academic courses from among the variety of courses taught at AUCA, which include many courses in Russian, Central Asian and Post-Soviet area studies. Most academic courses are taught in English, but students are welcome to enroll in courses taught in Russian, which include studio art, theater and physical education offerings.
- A cultural program, which will explore the culture, history, customs, cuisine and natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan and its diverse population. The cultural program includes bi-weekly organized events with outings to the specific theaters.
- Participation in student clubs, extracurricular activities and civic engagement projects with Russian-speaking peers from across Central Asia.
- Volunteering and internship opportunities at various organizations in Bishkek.
Liberal Arts Track

The Liberal Arts Track offers classes in a wide range of subjects including anthropology, sociology, economics, international comparative politics, and environmental studies in Central Asia. Visiting students can try out new topics or continue their primary course of study in small, seminar-style classes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1.
Liberal Arts Track

The Liberal Arts Track offers classes in a wide range of subjects including anthropology, sociology, economics, international comparative politics, and environmental studies in Central Asia. Visiting students can try out new topics or continue their primary course of study in small, seminar-style classes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1.
- Academic courses from 15 undergraduate and 10 graduate degree programs.
- Russian language courses of any level are available.
- Courses in Kyrgyz, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Turkish languages.
- Encounter the region’s rich traditions while witnessing its democratic development.
- Students may choose from two housing options: homestay or residence hall.
- A cultural program provides a chance to become better acquainted with the region's history and beauty.
- Participation in student clubs, extracurricular activities and civic engagement projects with English-speaking peers from across Central Asia.
- Volunteering and internship opportunities at various organizations in Bishkek.

Areas of Study

Language Studies

Language study is encouraged but not required. Russian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Tajik, all identified as strategically important languages by the U.S. State Department, are the most commonly spoken languages in Central Asia. While Kyrgyz and Russian are the official languages of Kyrgyzstan, the country is host to substantial Uzbek and Tajik populations. Students of Russian will find the language widely spoken both at the university and throughout the city, providing ample opportunity for linguistic immersion. AUCA also offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Turkish.

Cultural Program

Bard Abroad in Bishkek includes a cultural program designed to complement participants’ coursework. Excursions both inside and outside the city expose students to a wide variety of Central Asian experiences. Listed below are sample events from previous semesters.

Academics

Academics at AUCA

AUCA-Bard Study Abroad Program Tracks

Beginning Russian Language

Intermediate and Advanced Russian Language

Liberal Arts Track

Areas of Study

AUCA Internship Opportunities

Language Studies

Cultural Program

Cultural Program

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