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 8 - Departure from Bishkek

Participants are responsible for their own travel to Bishkek. Participants should plan to arrive in Bishkek 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 homestay in Bishkek.

Participants are encouraged to explore Kyrgyzstan during their visit. 

However, participants may not travel outside of Kyrgyzstan during the program. Participants will travel on a single entry visa and will not be able to re-enter the country if they leave.

For safety, security, and legal reasons, participants may not enter:

• Osh Province
• Batken Province
• the Fergana Valley

For travel outside of Bishkek City, participants must submit a form to the Resident director no later than three business days before travel, using the Independent Travel form provided to participants. 

Education Abroad and the Language Workshop at Indiana University regularly monitor information relevant to the safety of all IU students abroad, from official sources as well as from our domestic and international partners and colleagues. The safety and security of IU students abroad is of the utmost importance to us. We work to ensure that students can make informed and wise decisions regarding program selection as well as their behavior abroad. 

In addition to other sources of evidence of potential risk to students, we give primary consideration to Travel Advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State which are at four levels: 1) exercise normal precautions; 2) exercise increased caution; 3) reconsider travel; and 4) do not travel.  

Indiana University will not offer or support study abroad programs in, nor approve transit through, countries given Level 4 Travel Advisories, countries given Level 3 Travel Advisories (unless exempted), nor any section of a country given a Do Not Travel Advisory under Level 1, 2 or 3. 

Should a Travel Advisory be issued while a program is under way, Education Abroad will determine, following appropriate consultation with on-site staff, the OSAC Safety and Responsibility Committee, appropriate internal departments (such as University Counsel and/or Risk Management), peer institutions, other organizations that offer programs abroad and area experts, whether conditions warrant suspension of the program and/or departure of the student from the host country.  

As of February 10, 2026, the advisory level for Kyrgyzstan (officially the Kyrgyz Republic) is Level 1: exercise normal precautions with the Border Region with Tajikistan at Level 2: exercise increased caution due to longstanding border disputes. A bilateral agreement was signed between the two countries on March 13, 2025, stabilizing relations, but the U.S. State Department notes that the status of border crossings may change with short notice.  

Indiana University and American University of Central Asia prohibit the use or possession of alcohol or illicit drugs through the duration of the program. 

If you need special accommodations to help you perform at your best, register with the Office of Accessible Educational Services (AES) as far in advance of your program start date as possible, but no later than 10 days before the start of your program.  

Whether your condition is physical, medical, learning-related, psychiatric, or a temporary disability, AES will help you achieve your academic goals, whether you are studying in person or online. Services for students at overseas locations may be limited by physical and legal constraints, so please check as far in advance as possible. 

Services do not automatically transfer from your previous school; you must apply for services at IU. Services are confidential.  

Services may take time to put into place and are not retroactive; captions and alternate media for print materials may take three or more weeks to produce, so be sure to contact AES in March or April to ensure that materials are ready for you in June. Services may not be available in all languages taught in the Workshop. 

Register with Indiana University Accessible Educational Services office at https://studentlife.indiana.edu/care-advocacy/iub-aes/index.html or call 812-855-7578. 
 

Indiana University expects participants to uphold and maintain academic and personal honor and integrity. Review the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct at http://studentcode.iu.edu/. Workshop instructors and staff are obligated to report violations of the code or instances of academic dishonesty and misconduct. Review the definitions of and penalties for academic misconduct at: http://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html. 

In addition to handling serious mental health crises, IU CAPS staff offer support for overseas participants who just want to discuss problems with someone they can trust. CAPS offers counseling services in English, Mandarin, and Spanish. Contact them at http://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling or 812-855-8711 during Indiana business hours. 

• 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
• U.S. Embassy website | 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.  

Online Placement Estimate 

Participants complete a placement test before being admitted. You will receive a conservative placement estimate. A “Level 3” placement means: “We expect you to place no lower than level 3. You may place higher during intake placement, but we believe 3 is the lowest level you can expect.”   

 On-Site Placement  

Participants complete a second placement at the beginning of the program to ensure that they are enrolled at the correct level. Second placement results are final. 

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

Your intake OPIc must be completed prior to arrival in Bishkek. Your post-program OPIc must be completed before the end of August 2026, preferably between the final week of the program and one week after conclusion. 

Conducted by an independent testing company, these assessments provide an unbiased view of your progress throughout the summer and come with a nationally recognized ACTFL certificate of proficiency. ACTFL certificates are accepted in many government agencies, some universities, and private businesses as documentation of language mastery.  

The Workshop will communicate with you using the email address and phone number you provided in your application. Be sure to check this email address regularly and set up your voicemail. 

Flights are NOT covered in your program fee. 

Airspace closures may affect scheduled flights. We recommend that you avoid booking flights which connect in Dubai International Airport (DXB) or other locations at high risk of disruption in 2026. 

 We strongly recommend booking refundable tickets. 

 Students receiving FLAS, Language Flagship, Title VIII, or other federal funding are required to travel with a U.S.-based airline under the Fly America Act. A full list of certified carriers can be found on the Department of Transportation website. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to cancelation of your award.

All scholarship funding will be deposited into an IU bursar account. Once tuition, fees, and travel costs have been deducted, the remaining scholarship funds will be transferred to your IU Bursar account. If you have not signed up for direct deposit with the bursar, IU will send your refund to a mailing address. This may cause delays in your receipt of funds.  

Participants will receive Direct Deposit instructions from Workshop staff.

Having access to spending meny will greatly enhance your time in country and will allow you to partake fully in what Bishkek has to offer.  

Plan to bring spending money, but not more than $500 cash. For the rest, you should plan to use ATMs.

Be sure to notify your financial institution that you will be traveling to avoid delays or account freezes. We recommend having at least two means of payment available. 

 There are a number of factors to consider if making ATM withdrawals: 

• Withdrawal fees, international transaction charges, and fees associated with currency conversion can add up quickly.  

• The exchange rate for each ATM may not be accurate. Be aware of the current exchange rate to ensure you are not being overcharged. 

• Be mindful of daily ATM withdrawal limits, which vary by financial institution. 

All required texts and materials will be provided on site in Bishkek.  

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.  

Students live with a host family in Bishkek for the duration of the program. As houses are scattered throughout the city, commute times to campus will vary. You are responsible for planning your route to campus and arriving on time for class each morning. Failure to plan appropriately could result in you falling out of good standing in the program.  

When staying with a host family, you will receive three meals during weekends, and breakfast and dinner during the weekdays. You will be free to arrange weekday lunches as you please. There are numerous restaurants and shops near the AUCA campus. 

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 AUCA 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. 

The IU program fee for the Russian Language Workshop in Bishkek is $6,800. 

This includes: 

• study abroad fees 
• homestay housing 
• homestay breakfast & dinner 
• skills training 
• activities 
• excursions 
• local transportation pass 
• orientation 
• traveler's insurance 

This does not include: 

• international airfare 
• weekday lunches 
• spending money 

Billing will be managed through IU Bursar Pay, accessed through one.iu.edu. You are responsible for monitoring your bursar account to be sure all tuition, fees, and other charges are cleared by the due date on your bill. Please report any problems you discover on your bursar bill so that they can be corrected. 

If you are receiving scholarship funds for this program, these funds will be automatically applied to your bursar account.  

Check your Indiana University email account for billing information regularly. For more on student billing, see https://studentcentral.indiana.edu/pay-for-college/pay-bill/index.html