Reed College
Reed College

International Programs Office

Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)

Almaty, Kazakhstan

The American Councils' Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) provides intensive, immersion-based language instruction in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Hosted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), this program provides approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation, and cultural studies for a semester, summer, or academic year. Participants also complete coursework in the history and culture of Kazakhstan and may elect to enroll in Kazakh language study. 

 Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions outside Almaty, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to volunteer, pursue hobbies and personal interests in a Russian-language context. Participants receive academic credit for the program through Bryn Mawr College. Credited coursework may include such subjects as literature, history, political science, and contemporary society. All courses are taught in Russian by expert faculty with experience teaching foreign students.

Program Information

Terms Available: year, semester

Type of Program: Study Abroad

Languages of Instruction: Russian

Language Prerequisite: At least two semesters of college-level Russian language instruction or the equivalent.

  • GPA Requirement: 2.7
  • Credits: 8 undergraduate/10 graduate credit hours for the summer program; 16 undergraduate/15 graduate credit hours for the fall or spring semesters; 32 undergraduate/30 graduate credit hours for the academic year program.

Application

Application Deadline: Summer: February 15; Fall & Academic Year: March 15; Spring Semester: October 15
Program Application
Program website

Housing: Host Family
While staying with a host family, participants are provided with a private room, two meals per day, and keys to the apartment or house. All host families are screened, selected, and monitored by American Councils home-stay coordinators and resident directors.

Financial, Immigration

Cost to attend:

Reed College charges the same tuition fees for a semester or year off-campus as for a semester or year spent on campus, plus the program's actual room and board fees. Reed College encourages students to choose programs based on their academic rather than financial needs to reflect Reed's belief that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, should have the opportunity to study abroad.

Financial aid continues for eligible students during the off-campus program. Students should discuss with the Financial Aid Office how other outside aid may impact their existing aid package. Check out more details directly on the Reed College Financial Aid page.

Visa Deadlines and Requirements:

All participants are provided with a single-entry visa to the host-country for the duration of the academic program. It is the student's responsibility to obtain any other visas required by their individual itineraries. Visa application information and forms are provided upon acceptance to the program.