Indiana University offers a 4-week summer study-abroad program in Bishkek. Before joining the program, students must complete one of the following programs:
Summer intensive online study: The Indiana University 8-week summer online Kyrgyz 1 program
Academic-Year study: The Fall Introductory Kyrgyz 1 and Spring Introductory Kyrgyz 2 sequence at Indiana University
Equivalent Study: At least 2 and no more than 3 semesters of Kyrgyz language.
Students using the Equivalent Study option complete take a placement exam and be approved for the program before being admitted.
Students who apply by midnight EST on December 6 receive priority consideration for admission and for funding.
It is advantegeous to apply by this deadline since there is the possibility that individual scholarships and fellowships may expend their budgets during priority admission and not be available during general admission or rolling admission.
Students may apply for admission and for funding until midnight EST on January 31, 2025.
Admission and funding opportunities will be limited to classes that did not fill during priority admission and to scholarships and fellowships that were not fully awarded during priority admission.
Students may continue applying for admission, without funding, during rolling admission.
During Rolling Admission, students may apply for admission to the Language Workshop for self-funded study (or study funded by organizations other than the Language Workshop).
Admission remains competitive. Students who apply for full classes will be waitlisted. Students come off the waitlists in order of merit, not in the order of application.
After this date, there will not be time for non-IU students to get through Workshop acceptance, IU admissions, and IU enrollment before their course begins.
IU students may continue to apply, since they do not need to go through IU admissions.
After this date, there will not be time for non-IU students to get through Workshop acceptance, IU admissions, and IU enrollment before their course begins.
IU students may continue to apply, since they do not need to go through IU admissions.
The final date for IU students to apply to the Language Workshop is midnight EST on the last Thursday before their class begins.
BCS, Czech, Hungarian, Polish: May 15
Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz: May 22.
Arabic (all levels), Chinese 1, Russian 1 & 2: May 29
All other courses: June 5
Course Options
The summer Kyrgyz Culture in Bishkek program provides an immersive cultural experience tailored to the needs of Intermediate students of Kyrgyz.
Open to any student with at least 2 semesters and no more than 3 semesters of Kyrgyz, the program features:
daily culture instruction in Kyrgyz aimed providing a solid understand of Kyrgyz history and culture while solidifying and activating language skills
an immersive Kyrgyz-only environment
faculty and staff trained in transmitting complex information with intermediate-level language
carefully planned activities and excursions intended to immerse students in Kyrgyz history and culture using intermediate-level language.
Students who complete the course successfully will possess a solid first-hand knowledge of Kyrgyz culture, history, and current affairs. They will consalidate their Kyrgyz proficiency and exit with an ACTFL score of Intermediate Low or better. In addition to being able to communicate effectively in day-to-day situations, read and write effectively on familiar topics, and know how to interact in culturally appropriate ways, they will have a solid understanding of Kyrgyz culture and a command of the background cultural knowledge required for more advanced communicative proficiency.
Indiana University offers an intensive 8-week Kyrgyz 101/102 program in the summer, as well as a Kyrgyz 101/102 sequence during the academic year.
Completing either program qualifies you for priority admission to Indiana University's study-abroad program in Bishkek.
If you have completed an elementary course in Kyrgyz equivalent to any of the prerequisites above, you may take a placement exam to determine whether your Kyrgpz proficiency is at a level appropriate for Indiana University's summer Kyrgyz in Bishkek program (not too high and not too low).
Apply as usual and describe your Kyrgyz training in the "past language experience" section of the application.
Funding Options
The funding options below apply to study in Indiana-University programs only. For funding options for study in University of Pittsburgh programs, consult the University of Pittsburgh page for the program you are interested in.
The Department of State Bureau provides fellowships for graduate students, scholars, and researchers studying Russian, East European languages, or Central Asian languages in the Language Workshop. Fellowships provide tuition, fees, and a stipend.
Funded through an award from the U.S. Department of Education to the IU Center for International Business Education and Research, the CIBER scholarship supports students of IU's Kelly School of Business who study in the Language Workshop.
The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies provides scholarships for undergraduate women planning international careers to study in the Language Workshop. Scholarships provide whole or partial tuition.
The Department of Education provides scholarships for summer study in the Language Workshop. This program is administered by units other than the Language Workshop. Interested students should apply directly to the FLAS program.
The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies provides scholarships for study in the Language Workshop. This scholarship is aimed especially at students who are not eligible for any of the above programs.
About the Indiana Online and Overseas Kyrgyz Programs
Learn the Language then Study Abroad!
Students who study Elementary Kyrgyz in Indiana University's Summer Language Workshop or Central Eurasian Studies Department can combine 2 semesters of language study with an optional 4-week language and culture program in Bishkek.
First, Learn Intermediate Kyrgyz
To join the Bishkek program, you must have Intermediate Kyrgyz skills. There are three ways to acquire them:
The Indiana University Online Summer Language Workshop: Kyrgyz 101 and 102 delivered in live classes, 18 hours/week for 8 weeks, online;
The Indiana University Central Eurasian Studies Department Fall Kyrgyz 101 and Spring Kyrgyz 102 courses.
In equivalent courses in other institutions, confirmed by a placement test.
Then, Study Kyrgyz Culture in Bishkek
Earn 3 college credits with Indiana's on-site introduction to Kyrgyz Culture, designed specifically to be taught in Kyrgyz for students with Intermediate levels of proficiency.
The Indiana University Online Workshop provide 2 semesters of accelerated study to you develop intermediate speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills quickly.
You will complete 1 full year of language training in only 2 months in real-time classes conducted in the language of study, emphasizing the development of real-time interpersonal communication skills, and preparing you to study abroad with confidence at the end the program.
In Indiana's Online Workshop you will study 18 hours per week in live online classes with an instructor and with other students for 8 weeks, receive college credit for 2 semesters of language study, and will engage in a range of cultural activities with visiting scholars, performers, and practitioners.
The small class sizes, expert instructors, and highly motivated students of the program provides a stimulating setting for you to develop your oral and written communication skills rapidly.
In the Online Workshop, you will be part of a diverse group of talented language learners, including advanced high-school students, undergraduates, graduate students, scholars, professionals, and others.
Once you complete Indiana's Online Kyrgyz Workshop or Indiana's Central Eurasian Studies elementary courses, or otherwise acquire intermediate Kyrgyz, you are eligible to join Indiana's cultural immersion program in Bishkek.
The 4-week Bishkek Cultural Immersion program provides 3 college credits and 18+ hours a week of instruction -- in the classroom and in extramural activities and excursions -- conducted in Kyrgyz at the Intermediate Low/Mid level.
To apply for the Bishkek Program, for the Online Kyrgyz program, and for funding, complete the: LANGUAGE WORKSHOP APPLICATION
Kyrgyz Online
Dates: May 27 – July 18, 2025
Times: Monday – Thursday, 11:00am-3:00pm, eastern daylight time, Fridays 11:00am-1:00pm.
Kyrgyz Culture in Bishkek
Dates: July 21 – August 15, 2025
Times: Monday – Friday, 8:00-11:00am, plus extramural activities & excursions (times may vary depending on activity/excursion schedules)
KYRGYZ CULTURE IN BISHKEK PROGRAM ($4,650*)
Included in Program Fee:
Tuition and Academic Fees
Visa processing costs
Activity, Excursion, and Tutoring Costs
Meals
Host Family Lodging
Local Transportation
Traveler's Insurance
Not Included in Program Fee:
International travel
Passport fees
*Estimated fee. Subject to change.
This program offers 4 undergraduate credits.*
*Indiana University graduate students receive 3 graduate credits.
For details on the Bishkek program workload, see the Bishkek Handbook
Indiana University's Program in Bishkek is open to anyone who:
Has completed the Indiana University Online Kyrgyz Workshop;
Has completed the Indiana University Central Eurasian Studies Elementary Kyrgyz sequence
Has otherwise completed no fewer than 2 semesters and no more than 3 semesters of Kyrgyz language and who passes a placement exam;
Is at least 18 years old on day 1 of the program
Students who have 2 semesters of Kyrgyz but who did not attend the Indiana University Online Summer Kyrgyz Workshop or the Indiana University Central Eurasian Studies elementary Kyrgyz sequence may apply for the Bishkek program. Such students will complete a placement exam and interview to confirm that their mastery of Kyrgyz is at the appropriate level for this program.
Graduate students studying in Indiana's Bishkek Workshop are eligible for Title VIII Graduate Fellowships, regardless of whether they participate in Indiana's Online Kyrgyz Workshop or not.
