A semester or year at AUCA offers unparalleled opportunities: the chance to study alongside students from all over the world in academically rigorous classes; explore this historically and culturally fascinating region through excursions, homestays, and independent travel; and choose from among eight languages to study, including Kyrgyz and Russian, the two languages spoken in Bishkek.
Language study is encouraged but not required. Russian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Tajik, all identified as strategically important languages by the U.S. State Department, are the most commonly spoken languages in Central Asia. While Kyrgyz and Russian are the official languages of Kyrgyzstan, the country is host to substantial Uzbek and Tajik populations. Students of Russian will find the language widely spoken both at the university and throughout the city, providing ample opportunity for linguistic immersion. AUCA also offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Turkish.
Bard Abroad in Bishkek includes a cultural program designed to complement participants’ coursework. Excursions both inside and outside the city expose students to a wide variety of Central Asian experiences. Listed below are sample events from previous semesters.