Photograph of Kotor, Montenegro by Ravisimo on PixaBay
For over 45 years, American Councils has conducted comprehensive study abroad programs for thousands of students, teachers, and professionals. Participants greatly benefit from individual attention in small classes, life with local host families, global internship experience, and other immersion opportunities outside the classroom.
American Councils has suspended programming in the Russian Federation, but continues their Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Chisinau, Moldova, and Yerevan, Armenia. In addition to RLASP, American Councils offer group and individual programming in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. More information on their programs can be found below.
- About the program: RLASP serves both graduate and undergraduate students as well as working professionals. The academic year, semester, and summer programs provide approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation, and cultural studies. Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions outside the host city, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to pursue internships, volunteering, hobbies, and personal interests in a Russian-language context. Credit for area studies coursework is offered in such subjects as literature and history, political science, and contemporary society. All courses are taught in Russian by expert faculty with experience teaching foreign students.
- Program eligibility: 1) At least two semesters of college-level Russian language instruction or the equivalent, 2) Minimum GPA of 2.7, 3) Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline
- Program locations: Almaty (Kazakhstan), Chisinau (Moldova), Yerevan (Armenia), Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimir (all programs in Russia temporarily suspended)
- Program cost: Semester: $19,500
- Spring Semester 2023 dates: January 22 - May 21, 2023
- Spring Semester 2023 application deadline: October 15, 2022
- More information: click here
- About the program: The Balkan Language Initiative offers intensive, highly-individualized instruction in Albanian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Serbian in six different countries. Through homestays, conversation partners, in-class instruction, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, participants enjoy an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in daily local life in a region largely unserved by study abroad programs.
- Program eligibility: 1) At least two semesters of college-level instruction or the equivalent in the target language or a related language, 2) Minimum GPA of 2.7, 3) Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline
- Program locations: Albanian in Tirana, Albania; Bosnian in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina; Bulgarian in Sofia, Bulgaria; Macedonian in Skopje, North Macedonia; Serbian in Belgrade, Serbia; Montenegrin and Serbian in Podgorica, Montenegro
- Program cost: Semester: $13,100
- Spring Semester 2023 dates: January 25 - May 14, 2023
- Application deadline for Spring Semester 2023: October 15, 2022
- More information: click here
- About the program: The Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP) offers intensive, highly-individualized instruction in more than 15 Eurasian languages, including Romanian, Turkish, and Ukrainian. 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.
- Program eligibility: 1) At least two semesters of college-level instruction or the equivalent in the target language, Russian, or a related language, 2) Minimum GPA of 2.7, 3) Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline
- Program locations: Nine countries throughout Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
- Program cost: Semester: $13,600
- Spring Semester 2023 program dates: January 22 - May 14, 2023
- Spring Semester 2023 application deadline: October 15, 2022
- More information: click here
- About the program: The Russian Heritage Speakers Program is intended to address the specific needs of students who speak Russian at home or with relatives, or who grew up speaking Russian and wish to strengthen their Russian skills. Program participants work with American Councils staff and host university faculty to develop an individualized program serving their unique needs as language learners. All programs focus on the development of Russian language skills, including grammar, conversation, and phonetics. Participants receive a minimum of twelve hours per week of in-class contact hours. Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions of the host country, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to pursue hobbies and personal interests in a Russian context.
- Program eligibility: 1) Russian heritage speakers or students with an extensive background in Russian, 2) Minimum GPA of 2.7, 3) Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline
- Program locations: Almaty (Kazakhstan); Chisinau (Moldova); Yerevan (Armenia); Moscow (temporarily suspended), St. Petersburg (temporarily suspended), Vladimir (temporarily suspended); and Almaty (Kazakhstan)
- Program cost: Semester: $20,300
- Spring Semester 2023 program dates: January 22 - May 21, 2023
- Spring Semester 2023 application deadline: October 15, 2022
- More information: click here