Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)

Almaty, Kazakhstan

The American Councils' Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) provides intensive, immersion-based language instruction in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Hosted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), this program provides approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation, and cultural studies for a semester, summer, or academic year. Participants also complete coursework in the history and culture of Kazakhstan and may elect to enroll in Kazakh language study.

Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions outside Almaty, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to volunteer, pursue hobbies and personal interests in a Russian-language context. Participants receive academic credit for the program through Bryn Mawr College. Credited coursework may include such subjects as literature, history, political science, and contemporary society. All courses are taught in Russian by expert faculty with experience teaching foreign students.

Program Information

Terms Available: year, semester

Type of Program: Study Abroad

Languages of Instruction: Russian

Language Prerequisite: At least two semesters of college-level Russian language instruction or the equivalent.

GPA Requirement: 2.7
Credits: 8 undergraduate/10 graduate credit hours for the summer program; 16 undergraduate/15 graduate credit hours for the fall or spring semesters; 32 undergraduate/30 graduate credit hours for the academic year program.

Application

Application Deadline: Summer: February 15; Fall & Academic Year: March 15; Spring Semester: October 15
Program Application
Program website

Housing: Host Family
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 home-stay coordinators and resident directors.

Financial, Immigration

Cost to attend:

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.

Visa Deadlines and Requirements:

All participants are provided with a single-entry visa 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.

Areas of Study

Announcements

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!: Thinking about study abroad? Receive up to $5,000 (or up to $8,000 if you’re studying a Critical Need Language) to go abroad as a college student if you’re a U.S. citizen and Federal Pell Grant recipient! If you’re interested in conducting STEM-related research while studying or interning abroad, you could receive an additional $1,000 by applying for the new STEM supplemental award. The application closes March 7! Learn more at gilmanscholarship.org.

IIE American Passport Project: Annually, IIE will make grants to U.S. colleges and universities in the IIENetwork  so they can help Pell-eligible students obtain a U.S. passport. More information.

Off-Campus Programs in Israel and the West Bank: The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4-Do not Travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, and airlines have canceled flights. Reed College off-campus programs in this region have been canceled for the spring term. Students considering off-campus programs in Egypt and Lebanon must contact the Director of International Programs.