AC Study Abroad (American Councils / ACTR)

AC Study & Research Abroad is thrilled to announce that Title VIII Research Scholar Program and Title VIII Combined Research & Language Training Program applications are now open!

Title VIII programs are fully-funded opportunities to conduct research and language training abroad for three to nine months.

Research and training can be conducted in the following countries:

Albania
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Estonia
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Moldova
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan

Start your application today at https://www.studyabroad.americancouncils.org/research-abroad

Summer program orientation is complete! Woohoo! With orientations for all of our programs scheduled throughout the month of June, AC Study Abroad staff had a very busy beginning to this sweltering (at least here in DC) summer. In many cases, members of our DC staff joined their in-country colleagues in the program host country to help lead on-site orientations for our program participants. Hope you enjoy these photos from our RLASP, KISLP, TISLP, and Summer Russian Language Teacher Program orientations!

We are so excited to share our first of a series of Spring 2024 program blogs with the world! First up, we have RLASP Almaty participant Autumn Wibright's blog about Cultural Immersion in Kazakhstan. Autumn details her experience of learning about Kazakh culture at the everyday level through host family life and transportation, as well as by visiting museums and religious sites. Read more about what struck Autumn while in Kazakhstan and see what she has adopted into her everyday life in the US by clicking here: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2024/07/03/cultural-immersion-in-kazakhstan/

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Independence Day, is the oldest annual celebration of the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Today as we observe Juneteenth, American Councils for International Education honors the victories of the past. We also recognize the ongoing fight for freedom and equality and commit to a better, more equitable future for all, especially Black Americans.

Learn more about the historical legacy of Juneteenth at https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth

American Councils is dedicated to making international education to everyone. The U.S. Study Abroad Assistance Fund was established to help U.S. students with a demonstrated financial need participate in select programs. The Assistance Fund provides financial support for pre-program expenses associated with traveling abroad, including travel costs, technology support, medical check-ups, vaccines, and other incidentals.
Eligible program finalists can apply for up to $300 in support towards covering extra costs. The Assistance Fund is available for finalists of our virtual and in-person programs starting on or before August 1, 2024.
Apply to the U.S. Study Abroad Assistance Fund before May 10 at https://www.americancouncils.org/.../us-study-abroad...
Contact our team at [email protected] with any questions.

The application deadline for our fall and academic year programming is TOMORROW! If you want to Go Beyond Ordinary in September, be sure to submit your application now!

What does going beyond ordinary look like? You can get a sense of one example of this by reading our new blog from Matthew Pierro, ERLP Academic Year 2023-24 participant and Dan Davidson Fellowship recipient. In "All Roads Lead to Dushanbe", Matthew discusses what he loves about Dushanbe and how this love was rekindled upon return to the city after winter break independent travels all over Central Asia. Here's an excerpt:

"A few days ago, walking with a friend, I discovered yet another new park. Tree-lined sidewalks converged at ‘Dorado Seafood & Bar,’ a seemingly vacant restaurant in the park’s center decorated by string lights and fall attire. We lounged in the cool air, unusually windy, signaling rain the next morning. I remembered – I love Dushanbe. I love the many fountains that glow at night, tucked inside green parks bustling with families. I love old Soviet buildings, their pastel exteriors cracking with age, and the ceramic murals on their edges. I love the courtyards that sit between them, trees shading benches and playsets for neighborhood children. And I love bazaars – Tajik bazaars most of all – and their winding alleys, overflowing with spices, fruits, bread, and clothes."

Read "All Roads Lead to Dushanbe" in full: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2024/03/14/all-roads-lead-to-dushanbe/

Our Fall 2024 application deadlines are just around the corner!

If you are interested in the immersive, intensive study of a language abroad, visit studyabroad.americancouncils.org to start you application today.

Applications are due on March 15, 2024!

Thank you to all who submitted Summer 2024 applications, and a reminder that our deadline for Fall 2024 and Academic Year 2024-25 applications is March 15th! Today's blog is from AC Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship recipient, Title VIII Fellow, and Academic Year 2023-24 RLASP Almaty participant Justin Mitchell. In "Many Settings for Language Learning", Justin shares about the critical language learning experiences he has had inside and outside of class. Here's an excerpt from Justin's blog:

"Then there are the learning experiences I take entirely on my own initiative. A few weeks into the program I forced myself to order lunch at a restaurant without a phrasebook or notes. Now I can comfortably order food at several restaurants. In the two months I have been here I have been able to order food at restaurants almost every day. I’ve also bought books and school supplies from stores and market corners – I used some Kazakh for it too – and recently at a market I successfully bargained for a jacket when I didn’t have the full amount of money on me."

Read more: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/many-settings-for-language-learning/

‼️SUMMER 2024 APPLICATIONS FOR ALL PROGRAMS ARE DUE THURSDAY, 2/15‼️

Today's blog is from Summer 2023 BLI Bosnia & Herzegovina participant and Title VIII Fellowship recipient Sydney Stotter! While on program, Sydney took an excursion to Mostar, "Herzegovina's Historic Capital". From the intercity train ride through beautiful countryside that gave the chance to chat with locals and read a Bosnian novel, to visits to the city's famous Stari Most (Old Bridge) and Koski-Mehmed Pasha Mosque, to a stop at a Dervish house in a nearby village, the day trip was a "wonderful experience" that gave Sydney "the chance to learn more about the history, architecture, and culture of another city besides Sarajevo," her host city.

Read "Herzegovina's Historic Capital" here: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2024/02/13/herzegovinas-historic-capital/

‼️SUMMER 2024 APPLICATIONS FOR ALL PROGRAMS ARE DUE THURSDAY, 2/15‼️

Remember the stunning photo of Charyn Canyon that RLASP Kazakhstan participant Cade Keller won the Landscapes and Cityscapes Media Contest category with? That photo was taken by Cade during an exciting adventure that took place over the course of "A Memorable Weekend" - the Regional Field Studies Trip to Charyn Canyon and Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes! Here's an excerpt from Cade's blog:

"Finally, exhausted from all the hiking, we boarded the bus and headed back to the city. Reflecting on this experience, I think it was incredibly valuable in so many ways. Foremost was that it allowed us to experience the famous nature surrounding Almaty. But it also was a large, shared experience that helped the group bond and grow closer. Furthermore, the inclusion of language partners was a wonderful choice. I got the opportunity to interact more deeply with these students and not only practice my Russian, but make friends. Everyone involved in the program feels closer and more comfortable with each other after this excursion."

Read more here: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2024/02/12/a-memorable-weekend/

One more week to apply for summer study abroad with AC!

Congratulations to our final Fall 2023 Media Contest winner, RLASP Kazakhstan participant Ellie DePasquale ()! Ellie's photo of fellow participants on an excursion to the Black Canyon won the Participant Life Abroad category for photos that exude the study abroad experience. Congratulations, Ellie!

Congratulations to our Local Life and Culture Fall 2023 Media Contest winner , who participated in the RLASP Kazakhstan program! Piya will also be one of our three distinguished alumni guests on an Instagram Live Q&A session tomorrow at 8 PM EST - come get all of your questions answered and learn more about what it means to study abroad in Kazakhstan, as well as in Taiwan and in Serbia!

The Local Life and Culture category is for photos that unmistakably illustrate culture and life from a student's program site. This photo of Piya and fellow participants riding on camels outside of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Turkestan, Kazakhstan highlights both the ancient architecture of southern Kazakhstan and an animal central to Kazakh culture. Thank you for sharing, Piya!

In today's blog, ERLP Dushanbe Fall 2023 participant, Title VIII Fellowship Recipient, and AC Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Recipient Joseph Acevedo shares his experiences inside and outside of the classroom in Tajikistan. From discussions on complex topics that helped greatly in improving his language proficiency to trips outside of Dushanbe that led him to delicious Tajik honey and stunning mountain vistas, Joseph kept himself busy while abroad and had an amazing time doing so. You can read Joseph's blog in full here: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2024/02/02/from-the-classroom-to-khujand-and-beyond/

On February 6th at 8 PM EST, join three AC Study & Research Abroad alumni for an Instagram Live Q&A discussion on their experiences abroad! From Serbia to Taiwan to Kazakhstan, our featured alumni had fun, fascinating, rewarding experiences of linguistic and cultural immersion, and they are ready to share their best stories and advice. Learn directly from student participants themselves about what it means to Go Beyond Ordinary on AC Study & Research Abroad Programs! Read below to get introduced to our distinguished guest alumni:

Megan Joksimović, Balkan Language Initiative (BLI), Belgrade, Serbia:

Megan Joksimović is a senior in the W. P. Carey School of Business and Barrett, The Honors College at ASU studying Marketing. She studied abroad with BLI in Belgrade, Serbia in the summer of 2023. She is from Phoenix, AZ and because of her involvement in her Serbian community throughout her life, she is completing her Honors Thesis on the Balkan Diaspora in the United States, sharing oral histories in an online platform she created called Balkan in Amerika. 

Isabella McBride, Taiwan Intensive Summer Language Program (TISLP), Tainan, Taiwan:

Hi there!

I'm Isabella McBride, an alumna who participated in the TISLP last summer. Currently enrolled at Ball State University, I'm pursuing a major in Animation and a minor in Chinese. Joining TISLP was a pivotal step for me to expand my horizons, and now I'm eager to assist you on your upcoming study abroad journey! 

Piya Garg, Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP), Almaty, Kazakhstan:

I'm Piya Garg, and I participated in the RLASP program to Kazakhstan in Fall 2023. I'm a senior at the University of Southern California, and I'm majoring in International Relations and Global Business, and minoring in Human Rights. RLASP was an incredible experience for me, and I'm excited to answer any questions you might have about studying abroad with American Councils!

Scroll to the end and you will be rewarded with a photo of some delicious khachapuri 🧀🛶 made by our Fall 2023 Media Contest winner for Online Programming, Ellen Brady! This fall, Ellen studied Georgian in the online Eurasian Regional Language Program. The first two photos are from when Ellen and her language partner were discussing traditional Megrelian Georgian cuisine and culture. This conversation inspired Ellen to make some food of her own: khachapuri, Adjarian style, the beloved cheese boat with an egg in the center. Congratulations on you well-made khachapuri and your Media Contest win, Ellen!

We here at AC Study & Research Abroad are excited to begin sharing our Fall 2023 Media Contest winners with you! The media contest gives participants a chance to share photos that capture their memorable experiences and the spirit of study abroad and language learning.

First up is our winning photo for the Landscapes/Cityscapes category from RLASP Kazakhstan participant Cade Keller of Macalester College. This category is for unique, breathtaking scenes participants witness firsthand in their host countries. Cade's photo of Charyn Canyon from a Regional Field Studies excursion certainly matches that description to a T. Congratulations, Cade!

Just one month to submit your application for summer study abroad with AC!

Visit studyabroad.americancouncils.org to start and submit your application today!

Today, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) and honor his legacy of love, peace, freedom, and equality.

Dr. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. Today, we remember how important freedom and equality are.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! Remember: "The time is always right to do what is right." -

AC Study & Research Abroad will be featuring Tallinn, Estonia as our newest site for RLASP, starting in summer 2024!

Application deadline is February 15, 2024!

Help make exchanges possible by volunteering with American Councils!

The AC FLEX and YES programs will receive approximately 5,500 student applications from 28 countries for U.S. State Department-sponsored secondary school scholarship exchange programs for international students.

We need YOUR help to select over 1,800 scholarship recipients for the 2024-2025 program year.

Visit americancouncils.org or email volunteer.americancouncils.org for more information.

Look at the view outside of Jvari Monastery near Mtskheta, Georgia! The ancient monastery and convergence of two great rivers is one of many beautiful sights photographed by RLASP Tbilisi participant and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship recipient Tara Trinley while on program. Also featured in Tara's photo blog, "My Summer in Georgia," are her everyday walk home from Ilia State University, a Roman fortification called the Gonio Fortress, the Tsabinari Waterfall, and a delicious typical Georgian breakfast.

Check out Tara's descriptions of these photos by clicking on "My Summer in Georgia" in our bio 🖱🖱🖱

Ancient and historic Christian monasteries and cathedrals, intricately carved Khachkars, pagan temples dating back to the first century AD - these all have helped shed light on the fascinating history of religion in Armenia for RLASP Yerevan participant and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship recipient Isabel Hastings (). In "Religion in Armenia," Isabel shares about visiting these sites and what she learned about the Armenia's religious history while in the country. Here's an excerpt:

"When we visited the Garni Temple, I felt like I was in ancient Rome standing in front of the Pantheon. King Trdat built the Garni Temple in the first century to honor Mihr, the God of the Sun. Although the pagan temple resembles other ones from great empires centuries ago, the Garni Temple is distinct, because it is made from basalt."

Read Isabel's blog in full: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2023/10/25/religion-in-armenia/

"The everyday life and ‘on-the-ground’ experiences that are so key in developing listening and speaking skills": these are what RLASP Almaty participant, Title VIII Fellow, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship recipient Jonathan Adsit () found so valuable in the homestay experience in Kazakhstan. In "Homestays are the way to go," Jonathan shares about how living with a host family has provided him a fully immersive language learning experience that has enabled big gains in his Russian abilities. Here's an excerpt from Jonathan's blog:

"This includes talking about even mundane things like making one’s bed, cleaning one’s room, eating food, and going to the store. Living with a host family in a homestay has vastly improved my listening and speaking abilities about everyday things and has taught me a lot about what kind of things are said in everyday speech, which as one would think, is extremely important. This type of fully immersive experience has greatly improved my Russian abilities in a way that living in a dorm with a primarily English-speaking roommate simply cannot."

Read more: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2023/10/23/homestays-are-the-way-to-go/

TISLP provides students with numerous opportunities for cultural immersion, and as you may have noticed in past participant blogs, the host family plays a critical role in this cultural (and linguistic) immersion! For TISLP NCKU participant Emily Kelso, the host family visit meant a trip to Kenting, located on the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Here's an excerpt from Emily's blog, "Host Family Day":

"I feel that even just one day with the host family has greatly improved my understanding of the culture and language. In the beginning of the program, I thought that the language barrier would be hard to overcome, and having conversations with the local people would be full of struggles, but thanks to the hospitality of the Taiwanese people, I feel I am able to overcome the anxiety to be able to communicate my ideas."

Read Emily's blog here: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2023/10/20/host-family-day/

A trip to Alishan, accessible from Tainan by a 6:30 AM bus ride, entails everything from stunning mountain views and towering cypresses to aspects of indigenous culture. In "A Day in Alishan", TISLP NCKU participant Wanbin Chen () details why this was a trip well worth rising early for. Here's an excerpt:

"As we walked further into the forest, we noticed many species of trees. Alishan is known for its giant cypresses, but many of these younger third-generation trees have taken their place. They are most recognizable by their thinner trucks and sparser canopy. Many of the first-generation and second-generation trees were cut down by locals or Japanese woodcutters and transported to Japan during the colonial period (1895-1915). Many more were lost to natural disasters. The second-generation trees that were lucky to have survived this period released seeds that, over decades, gave rise to these third-generation trees."

Read more: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2023/10/17/a-day-in-alishan/

Revisiting a place a decade later is a fascinating experience - you can see how things have changed, as well as sights you never saw the previous time. That's what RLASP Armenia participant, Title VIII Research and Training Fellowship recipient, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship recipient Sean Goodman got to experience in Yerevan this summer. Here's an excerpt from Sean's blog, "Reflections in Armenia":

"Our second visit was to Etchmiadzin, and two additional Armenian churches. In one church (build in 630 CE) a wave of incense hit me when I entered, and for a moment I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and felt totally at peace. The architecture of Etchmiadzin presents a dichotomy between Soviet architecture and ancient Armenian Christian architecture. During this visit I experienced yet another benefit to my language learning by learning facts about the Armenian church while listening to our tour guide speak to us completely in Russian. During this excursion we also had the opportunity to participate in cultural immersion, and most of us got a hands-on experience learning how to make lavash in the way that it’s been made for centuries."

Read Sean's blog in full by clicking on "Reflections in Armenia" in our bio 🖱🖱🖱

Today's blog is about becoming familiar: familiar with "places, people, routines, and even the expected unexpectedness of certain things that shape life in Dushanbe." ERLP Tajikistan participant and Title VIII Fellowship recipient Lyla Amini shares more in her blog about this process, about the "small but significant moments and exchanges" that constitute familiarity, the kinds of moments and exchanges that arise with workers at the national library and at a friend of a friend's cafe. Read more of Lyla's blog: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2023/10/11/becoming-familiar/

As our study abroad participants begin to explore and settle into their host countries, a question that often arises is: what's the best way for me to share all of the cool experiences I'm having with my friends and family back home? In her blog, "How I Share My Experiences in Taiwan with My Family and Friends Back Home," TISLP TKU participant and AC Study Abroad Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship recipient Emerald Lewis (.emeral) shares her answer to this question, describing how she used a shared Google Photos album to keep in touch with loved ones and let them see what she was up to in Taipei. Here's an excerpt:

"After a fun outing, or a really good meal, I upload my photos and videos along with a caption to explain the things I saw, what I did, and most importantly what I ate that day. Afterwards, my friends can react by liking specific photos as well as by leaving me comments in the album’s timeline for me and everyone else in the album to see. Even though these interactions are taking place from so far away and sometimes come in after a few hours of delay because of the time difference, I also feel like I am able to immediately share my experiences with my friends and family and have genuine interactions with them very easily and tangibly through a single platform."

Read more: https://acstudyabroad.wordpress.com/2023/10/06/how-i-share-my-experiences-in-taiwan-with-my-family-and-friends-back-home/

Congratulations to RLASP Kazakhstan participants Jackson Grefe, Dennis Kukharev, Harper Libbert, and Nathan Seybert, all of , on their completion of the Almaty Half-Marathon! Nathan even completed it in under one and a half hours, placing him among the top 50 finishers. Bravo! We are so impressed with our students' achievement - what a great way to get out into the city, engage with local cultural events, and participate in a truly international sport.