History Study Abroad Programs in Kazakhstan

Overall, the Middlebury Russian Intensive Language Program in Astana is well-organized and designed to help students improve their Russian. They provide a variety of different course subjects, including Russian grammar. The professors test our knowledge and give us opportunities to practice the language through various mediums such as: presentations, group work, writing tests, and reading and watching movies (as homework) then discussing them in class. Not only this, but the professors are extremely knowledgeable about their topics. They often encourage questions, and will gladly repeat themselves if need be. Shout out to Professor Yuliya K! I particularly enjoyed the information I learned in this class, and how she uses her substantive knowledge of Russian literature and culture to help us understand texts in ways we would have never thought of before.

I really enjoyed this program! I got to explore Kazakhstan, take interesting classes, and learn independence all while being fully immersed in the Russian Language. Going into this program, I already had an intermediate understanding of the Russian language, but I wanted to learn more about the Russian-speaking world. I found that Kazakhstan — typically unexplored by the average American study-abroad student —and, in particular, the program with Middlebury, were well-suited to my academic and personal goals. I got to work intimately with Kazakh students, learn about a previously unexplored culture, all while eating good food, celebrating important Kazakh holidays, and viewing breathtaking architecture (attached). For Russian-speaking students interested in furthering their academic career and being fully immersed, consider the program in Astana!

The American Council ERLP program that I participated in was an excellent program. The program offered me one on one instruction from Persian teachers. This personalized instruction allowed me to maintain my own pace of learning and allowed me to advance better than I had previously. The program personnel in both Tajikistan and Washington D.C. were top of the line and extremely helpful with any problems that arose. When I was forced to return to the United States due to the Covid-19 pandemic the program personnel worked with me to establish an online learning schedule so that I could finish my semester. The host family that I had were very generous and kind and provided me with everything I needed. The only drawback I found in the program was that I did not get a strong immersion into the language due to the fact that most people in the nation spoke Russian. Overall the American Council ERLP program was a well put together and successful program that I would definitely recommend to others.

I studied Uzbek with ERLP in Fall 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program took place virtually. I was on the part-time track, which meant that I studied the language for 6 hours per week. Each week, 2 additional hours were dedicated to conversation lessons and virtual cultural activities. The classes are very individualized -- I was the only student in my class. This one-on-one instruction greatly improved my Uzbek in just a short time period. I came in with zero knowledge of the language and placed at the intermediate-mid level by the end of the program. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning Central Asian languages such as Uzbek and Tajiki.

My goal for 2020 was to learn Tajiki, a dialect of Persian spoken in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. I heard about ERLP when working with American Councils and decided to apply because of a colleague's recommendation. Because of the coronavirus, the program was conducted online. While I was completing the application, the staff at American Councils responded to my questions promptly and thoroughly. I was awarded a Title VIII scholarship. Every weekday, I had two hours of classes. Every Tuesday and Saturday, I had cultural activities. Each week, I talked with a conversation partner for two hours. The academics were incredible. My classes were small, just my teacher and myself. The teacher conducts the entire class in Tajiki. At the beginning of the program, my Tajiki was at a beginner's level; I knew a couple of phrases after living in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. After eight weeks, my Tajiki was at an intermediate level. American Councils did an incredible job, adapting to the new format. Problems were solved promptly. The staff was always in contact and listened to feedback.

This is a fantastic program that I would recommend to others in an instant! Everything was great, and all aspects were well taken care of and arranged, but I still had enough freedom and "problem-solving" opportunities (just a given when living in a new country) that I felt that I grew from the experience. Overall, two big thumbs up!