Bishkek

The Budapest program is open to anyone who is:

• At least 18 years old on day 1 of the program
• Meets the Kyrgyz language requirements:
  
  • Has successfully completed the most recent Indiana University Level 1 Kyrgyz Workshop;
  • Has the equivalent of at least 2 and no more than 3 semesters of Kyrgyz and passes a placement exam administered by program administration.

Students receive 4 Indiana University undergraduate credits* for their participation and will be admitted to Indiana as Summer Students if they are not already Indiana University students.

*Degree-seeking Indiana University graduate students instead receive 3 graduate credits.

• 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

• Language Workshop Director | Dr. Kathleen Evans | ke1@iu.edu
• Language Workshop Assistant Director | Ms. Jenny McDougal | jkmcdoug@iu.edu
• Address: 355 N Eagleson Ave.
  Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies
  Global and International Studies Building, Room 1030 
  Bloomington, IN 47401
• Phone: +1 812-855-2889
• Site: https://languageworkshop.iu.edu

• July 21 - Arrive in Bishkek
• July 22 - Program orientation
• July 23 - Classes begin
• August 15 - Final exams and exit testing
• August 16 - 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 or train station) and assist you with checking into your accommodations in Bishkek.

To maximize language learning, participants commit to speaking only Kyrgyz 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-Kyrgyz-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). 

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. 

Books and Materials 

All required texts and materials will be provided.  

Emails 

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

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

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).

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. 

You are responsible for bringing: 

• Laptop/tablet & headset & microphone (for online courses during quarantine) 
• Computer Charger 
• Passport  
• International Student Identity Card 
• Cash: do NOT bring more than $500 USD 
• Credit and or debit card 
• Vaccine card (make sure to save a picture of this saved on your phone & laptop for safekeeping) 
• Chargers for electronic devices 
• Flash drives for class use 
• Paper clip to open SIM card drawer in phone 
• Water bottle 
• Optional Items: 
  • books, magazines, or ebook device