Bishkek

The Bishkek program is open to anyone who is:

• At least 18 years old on day 1 of the program
• Meets the Russian language requirement
  • Successful completion of placement test in the Intermediate Low to Advanced Low range (test administered after acceptance to the program)

Students receive 8 Indiana University undergraduate credits of Russian at a level determined by their placement exam.

• June 13 - Arrive in Bishkek
• June 14 - Program orientation
• June 15 - Classes begin
• August 7 - Final exams and exit testing
• August 7 - Departure from Bishkek

Participants are responsible for their own travel to Bishkek. Participants should plan to arrive in Baku by the arrival date listed under IMPORTANT DATES.  

The program will meet you at your point of arrival (usually the airport) and assist you with checking into your accommodations in Bishkek.

• Indiana University Language Workshop | +1 812-855-2889 | languageworkshop@iu.edu
• Indiana University Study Abroad Office | +1 812-855-9304 | overseas@iu.edu 
• U.S. Embassy in Bishkek | +996 31 25 97 000 | https://kg.usembassy.gov/services

To maximize language learning, participants commit to speaking only Russian between the opening of the program and the close of the program. The Immersion Contract is a key component of your language-learning success. 

What Immersion Means 

By signing the Immersion Contract, you commit to speaking the language of study whenever feasible, including:  

• in the dorm/host family, including with other Program students 
• any time you are with a tutor, skills trainer, conversation partner, visiting presenter, or guest of the program 
• any time you are with an instructor of your language 
• any time you are with another student of your language 
• any time you are at an event or activity in your language 

Exceptions to Immersion 

The immersion requirement can be lifted during class at the discretion of the instructor. Most instructors will permit limited use of English for the sake of clarity. Outside of class, instructors will not break the Commitment except in emergencies. 

The Immersion Contract does not apply to interactions with non-Russian-enabled Indiana University staff, including program staff, academic advisors, university administrators, etc. 

Immersion is a Communal Effort 

Maintaining Immersion is difficult and at times frustrating but can also be tremendously rewarding. Students commit not only to speaking their language of study but to supporting other students in their efforts to do the same. Faculty also commit to supporting students in their commitment. Together, faculty and staff strive to ensure that every student can take full advantage of the immersion commitment to further their language acquisition. 

Workshop classes meet for 4 hours a day. Homework loads average 1-2 hours a day. Participants are required to attend all program activities (barring medical emergencies). 

Individualized oral skills training (tutoring) is a core feature of the Russian in Bishkek Program, accelerating communicative competence and strategy development. 

Each student meets a Skills Trainer for at least 20 minutes each weekday except Friday. 

Students may miss up to 4 hours of class with prior authorization by program staff, or in an emergency. Students who miss program activities without prior authorization or who miss more than 4 hours may not receive full academic credit for the program. 

If you have an emergency and will miss more than the maximum number of hours, contact program administration – in advance if possible – to request accommodation. 

The Bishkek program organizes frequent extra-curricular activities, both on-campus and off-campus. Students are required to attend all activities unless program administration communicates otherwise.  

All participants complete externally administered oral proficiency assessments at the end of the program.  

Conducted by an external tester, these assessments provide an estimate of your proficiency on the ACTFL scale.

These assessments do not affect your grades in any way. 

The Workshop will communicate with you using the email address you provided in your application. Be sure to check this email address regularly.  

All required texts and materials will be provided by the host institution.

The IU program provides free WiFi access in its facilities in Bishkek.

Students receive a sim card for local calls and emergency calls after arrival.  

You must keep your phone charged and on your person at all times.  

If your phone stops working for any reason, tell your program director immediately.  

Participants are allowed and encouraged to conduct independent travel during downtime while they are on program. Participants must inform the Program Director of any independent travel and must ensure that personal travel not conflict with the academic or cultural activities of the Program. 

Host family accommodations for Russian in Bishkek will be arranged by the program for participants accepted to the program. Host family housing fees are included in the IU Bishkek Program Fee.

Commuting times to campus will vary. You are responsible for planning your route to campus and arriving on time for class. 

Host families will provide two meals a day. 

Lunch will not be provided.

Host families may have set a curfew or have rules against visitors in their homes. This may include other AUCA students. Students must abide by these rules and respect the wishes of their host families. 

If you run into any issues with your host family over rules, please consult the Resident Director.

Language study is closely integrated with learning about Central Asian history, culture, society, and politics. Excursions, workshops, and other activities give students opportunities to apply their language skills in authentic contexts. 

Students are accompanied on excursions and activities by Activities Guides, Russian-speaking guides hired and trained by AUCU to keep students engaged, and to provide language assistance as necessary to foster student understanding,

ACTIVITIES

• Kyrgyz Cuisine & Cooking Demonstrations
• National Music and Musical Instruments 
• Traditional Art 
• Pottery Activity 
• Traditional Central Asian Games 
• Yurt Building 

MINOR EXCURSIONS

• City Tour 
• National Historical Museum 
• Gapar Aitiev National Museum of Fine Art 
• Ch. Aitmatov Museum 

MAJOR EXCURSIONS

• Ala Archa National Park 
• Supara Ethno Complex 
• Issyk Kul  

Students should obtain an International Student Identity Card from https://www.isic.org/ before arriving in Bishkek. Transit passes and many venues offer discounts to ISIC holders.

The program will provide you with GeoBlue health and traveler’s insurance (including insurance for emergency evacuation).

While at AUCA, your primary point of contact will be your Resident Director. If you are feeling sick or are experiencing a health-related emergency, contact your Resident Director immediately.

The Resident Director can assist you with getting in contact with health services in Bishkek.All health concerns should be reported immediately. 

Tap water in Bishkek is not safe to drink. Residents usually boil water or drink from water bottles. There is clean water to fill your water bottles at water dispensers located throughout AUCA. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle.