Study Abroad
CC Russian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Blocks 7&8
The CC Russian Abroad program takes place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Blocks 7&8. Students will take RU256/HY200 - Russian History in Russian Literature II (taught in English) - in Block 7 followed by either RU102 - Elementary Russian II or RU201 - Intermediate Russian, in Block 8. The prerequisite for this program is RU101. The first course fulfills the all-college AIM requirement, Analysis and Interpretation of Meaning or HP requirement, Historical Perpectives. The second course counts towards the Critical Engagement through language requirement (CE-L).
The program includes a rich and diverse cultural experience: Guided tours of Bishkek (state museums of fine arts and history, concert halls, churches, mosques, and bazaars), trips to Ala-Archa Canyon and National Park, Ala-Too mountain range, and the pearl of Central Aisa- the lake Issyk-Köl-one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Students try their hand at felting and cooking traditional dishes. We plan to add trips to Almaty in Kazakhstan, and to Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan- the ancient gateway cities on the Great Silk Roads.
The program is organized in conjunction with the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. the classes are conducted by Colorado College professors with the assianctance of the local faculty. The courses are taught in English and Russian under Colorado College Block Plan. The students live with Russian-speaking host families. All regular financial aid applies to this program. Students who live on campus with a standard meal plan will pay no additional program fee. CC covers all program costs, including the airfare, room and board.
Prerequisite: Completion of RU101 before block 7
Billing for CC-led semester & half-semester programs can be found at:
Students Learn Russian Through Cultural Immersion in Kyrgyzstan
Photo by Maggie Davis '27.
“The study abroad in Kyrgyzstan was definitely a once in a lifetime experience! I got the chance to learn the Russian language and history along with the culture in Kyrgyzstan and some of the Kyrgyz language. The country is so beautiful and so fun to explore! We lived in the city so oftentimes we would go to cafes, restaurants, and parks, but we also would go on beautiful hikes and got to swim in a lake which is so large it could be mistaken as being the ocean! ALSO the professors are absolutely the most amazing people and made the trip 100000% better. The bond you will make with them, your host families, your classmates, and the other students at AUCA (the college where you study) is unlike anything else… I promise you will have an amazing time!!!” Rietta Thomson ‘25
"Being fully immersed in the Russian language with other amazing CC students was a truly incredible experience. I had no idea what to expect going into the trip and was met with some of the friendliest professors, classmates, and host family that one could hope for. I loved watching movies throughout the two blocks and watching my level of understanding of Russian increase as we went along. Moving from no Russian language ability to a solid understanding of the language's structure…", Natasha Jaddock ’24