Deadline for Applications: October 15, 2018

American Councils Study Abroad is now accepting applications for Spring 2019 intensive language immersion programs. Applications are due by October 15, 2018.

Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)

RLASP offers participants the unique opportunity to study Russian language and area studies in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimir or Almaty, while pursuing volunteer opportunities, internships, and cultural interests in an overseas immersion setting. (Language prerequisite: two semesters of Russian)

*American Councils is pleased to offer special funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education (Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad) for advanced students of Russian participating in the program in Moscow.)

Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)

The Program provides participants intensive individualized instruction in the languages of Eurasia. Participants may choose from a wide range of regional languages, including: Armenian, Azeri, Bashkir, Buryat, Chechen, Dari, Georgian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Pashto, Persian, Romanian, Tajiki, Tatar, Turkish, Ukrainian, Uzbek, and Yakut. (Language prerequisite: two semesters of the target language or a related language)

*American Councils is pleased to offer special funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education (Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad) for advanced students of Persian participating in the program in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.)

Balkan Language Initiative (BLI)

The American Councils Balkan Language Initiative provides graduate students, advanced undergraduates, working professionals, and scholars intensive individualized instruction in the languages of the Balkans. Participants may choose to study one of 5 regional languages including: Albanian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Serbian. (Language prerequisite: two semesters of the target language or a related language)

Indonesian Overseas Program (IOP)

Open to students of all proficiency levels, the Indonesia Overseas Program is an intensive semester- or academic year-long overseas immersion program in Malang, Indonesia. It offers students the opportunity to gain new cultural knowledge and language competency while experiencing the vibrant everyday life and rich traditions of Indonesia. No prior knowledge of Indonesian is required.

ALL PROGRAMS OFFER…

• Comprehensive pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. as well as on-site orientation in each host city;
• Expert faculty and classrooms of only 2 to 6 participants to maximize individual attention to each learner’s needs;
• 15-20 hours per week of in-class target language instruction in grammar, phonetics, conversation, culture and area studies;
• Housing with carefully-vetted host families;
• U.S. academic credit administered through Bryn Mawr College;
• Conversation partners who assist U.S. students with language learning;
• Creative excursions that go beyond typical tourist destinations and offer students new insights into the host country life and culture.

Students admitted to American Councils programs are eligible to receive financial support from a wide range of sources, including the U.S. Department of State (Title VIII), U.S. Department of Education (Fulbright-Hays), Boren, FLAS, Gilman, and the American Councils Study Abroad Scholarship Fund.

Of particular note among the scholarships offered is the Dan Davidson Fellowship. This fellowship  supports highly qualified and deserving individuals who would otherwise not have the opportunity to build the skills that allow them to operate, negotiate, and establish ties in countries critical to U.S. economic, political, and social interests through language study and area studies coursework. Awards range up to $6,000 for semester study.

APPLICATION & QUESTIONS

Prospective applicants should check the program website for more information and to access the online application. The application deadline for these programs and fellowships is October 15, 2018. Please do not hesitate to reach out either by phone (202-833-7522) or by email with any questions regarding the programs or the application process.

Deadline for Applications: October 25, 2018

Ethnomusicology – Folklore – Drama – Cultural Anthropology

Space is available on a research team headed to Clocusna, Moldova from January 4-16, 2019 to study and document the New Year’s rituals of “Malanca”. Malanca includes elaborate masquerading and an ancient folk drama performed door-to-door, accompanied by traditional songs, music, and dance.

The expedition will be led by Dr. Svetlana Sorokina (a specialist in East European folk drama) and Dr. Yelena Minyonok, both of Russia’s Gorky Institute of World Literature (National Academy of Sciences). Under their guidance, participants will interview local informants about the history and significance of Malanca, observe the performers’ preparations and rehearsals, and document the holiday performances. Research team languages will be Russian, English and Moldovan/ Romanian.

Participation is open to both academics and enthusiasts. Participants pay a fee, estimated $2300 which covers all food, lodging, local travel, translation, instruction and accompaniment by expedition staff for the duration of the expedition.

Date: January 4-16, 2019 For more information, see http://russianfolklorefriends.org/2019expeditions.html or email info@russianfolklorefriends.org

Sponsored by American Friends of Russian Folklore, a 501c3 American nonprofit registered the the state of California. AFRF has placed American volunteers with east European scholars for more than a decade.