Study Abroad Programs in Tajikistan

Tajikistan is dying to get out of obscurity. It’s longing to be known, experienced, lived. It wants to continue its story, one that’s been written since 600 BC. Universities offer the chance to learn dying languages and explore the history of the area. Tajikistan’s position between China and Uzbekistan provides students with a rare glimpse of rugged central Asia, where you can see the stunning valleys of Zeravshan, celebrate the traditional Navruz spring festival, and acquire a taste for qurutob. Study abroad in Tajikistan and you can be one of the 100 international students who take this leap each year!

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1 Study Abroad Programs in Tajikistan

American Councils Study & Research Abroad

9.5

Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)

The Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP) assists undergraduate and graduate students, as well as research scholars, in their pursuit to learn one of 18 regional languages in nine Eurasian countries. Through academic affiliations, discussion groups, classes, medical assistance, housing, and in-country transportation, our ERLP participants are guaranteed to make the most out of their stay in magnificent Eurasian territories. Languages offered include Armenian in Yerevan, Armenia; Azerbaijani and Turkish in Baku, Azerbaijan; Georgian and Chechen in Tbilisi, Georgia; Kazakh in Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Romanian in Chisinau, Moldova; Bashkir, Buryat, Tatar, and Yakut in Russia; Persian (Dari, Farsi, Tajiki), Pashto, and Uzbek in Dushanbe, Tajikistan; and Ukrainian in Kyiv, Ukraine. American Councils programs are accredited through Bryn Mawr College, which is an institutional member of the organization. Graduate or undergraduate credits are issued upon successful completion of the program.

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A Guide to Study Abroad in Tajikistan

Locations

Tajikistan is a country dominated by stunning mountain ranges. The country itself is relatively new, but people have been making their home among the peaks for more than 3,000 years. Wherever you choose to study abroad in Tajikistan, the extraordinary beauty of nature will be just outside your door, beckoning you to the endless possibilities they promise.

Dushanbe is the capital and beacon of the country’s movement to rebuild after Soviet rule during the turn of the 20th century. Modern Asian influences, largely from China, wear away at previous Russian architecture, causing a new life to emerge in the city. Dushanbe boasts the majority of the nation’s top universities, including one with specifications in technical, agrarian, medical, pedagogical, and Slavonic colleges. You can sip tea at traditional chai-honas (teahouses) on your study break, and fill your days off with visits to beautifully designed mosques and historic museums.

Dangara is the site of the relatively new Dangara State University, founded in 2013. There are several degree programs and a library open to the entire city. Because of talks of relocating the capital to Dangara, there has been new construction on their current airport, rerouting of an old rail line, and total refurbishment of the city’s roads. It’s definitely an up-and-coming place to be within Tajikistan.

Despite Dangara’s increasing prominence, Khujand is actually the country’s second largest city. It’s also the oldest, featuring on the ancient silk roads dating back 2,500 years. There are several museums and four prominent 4-year colleges, as well as the Panjshanbe Market, one of the largest covered markets in Central Asia.

Latest Program Reviews

Best and only Persian program

February 12, 2021by: Patrick Fox - United States

Program: Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)

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.

Excellent program for Central Asian languages!

January 31, 2021by: Ashley Lane - United States

Program: Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)

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.