What you make of it. Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2018 to 12/22/2018 with
American University of Central Asia: Bishkek - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I was introduced to a region of the world that I had little to no exposure to, and based on this experience, I will definitely be going back. While the classes weren't as rigorous as they would be in the US, there was so much to see and do outside of that.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There wasn't a very wide variety of courses offered, especially in regards to electives in certain departments, but they do allow undergraduates to take some of the masters courses. It was less rigorous than my home university, and required some self-motivation, but there are definitely interesting projects that you can find both within and outside of your coursework if you keep an open mind. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
This depend on whether you lived in a host family or in the dorm. I chose to live with a host family. I am not a picky eater and am pretty willing to try everything, but some of my friends who were had a bit harder time, especially when there were language barriers. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Again, this is dependent on how well you apply yourself. I chose to live in a host family, to take kyrgyz, to tutor at the university, and to join clubs. I felt pretty integrated, however, it can be really easy to hang out only with other international students, in which case there wouldn't be nearly as much cultural integration. Really, the choice is up to you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I caught a cold while I was there. The program staff were extremely helpful, however, the healthcare industry in Kyrgyzstan is different, so I would be sure to bring a box of your preferred cold/allergy medicine with you just in case. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I think that Kyrgyzstan is an incredible country, and I learned so much from the people I was studying with both in and outside of class. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Living in Bishkek was really affordable. I chose to travel to other regions of Kyrgyzstan/other countries with my friends, which definitely increased costs. But overall, I worried much less about money abroad than I do during a regular semester at Wellesley. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
So Russian proficiency isn't required for the program, but a coupe of us had prior experience. My program director definitely pushed me, as an individual, to use Russian, but it was not a requirement. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken 2 years of Russian beforehand. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Find friend that are willing to practice with you. Take courses that are in Russian. Go to the movies, out to dinner, etc, and speak to the staff in Russian. Ask your host families to tell you about their lives, interests, etc. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would have reached out to organizations that I was interested in volunteering for before I arrived. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
RUS 250 |
| Course Department: | Humanities/ Foreign Language |
| Instructor: | Ekaterina Lobanova |
| Instruction Language: | Russian |
| Comments: | This course was definitely challenging, since most of the students in the course were native speakers, but our professor was extremely willing to work with us, and provide us with additional resources when we needed them. This course was a reading heavy course if you are taking it as a foreign language course. There are a couple written assignments (midterm, responses to reading question, etc.), but most of the class is based on presentations and class discussions. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
