The Development and Social Change Practicum consists of two major components: a practicum and a seminar. Students gain firsthand exposure to key development stakeholders—local as well as international—in the region. The modular coursework offers an interdisciplinary scaffolding for critical reflection and thoughtful analysis. The course readings provide a theoretical and methodological foundation for the participants to delve into the connections between theory and the work of NGOs and policy organizations in Kyrgyzstan’s dynamic multiethnic society.
Students who have not studied Russian will be offered a survival Russian course at the beginning of the program. Optional Russian, Kyrgyz, or other regional language study is available for an additional fee.
Through weekly cultural programs, students will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating history and culture of Kyrgyzstan and its role in great global movements throughout history. Beginning with the Silk Road and moving through the “Great Game” and the country’s post-Soviet experience, students gain an understanding of Kyrgyzstan as it is today—a complex multicultural and multiethnic country.