American University - Central Asia (AUCA)
Bishkek, KyrgyzstanWhy AUCA?
The American University - Central Asia is unlike any other university in the region. It was the first to adopt an American model, with credit hours, American-style curricula, and a commitment to democratic values and freedom of expression and inquiry.
AUCA enjoys an excellent reputation, both regionally and internationally, for academic excellence. AUCA offers degree programs in several fields including International Relations, Kyrgyz Studies, British & American Studies, Journalism, Business Administration, Economics, Law, and Software Engineering. Instruction is delivered in English and Russian, and competence in both languages is required to graduate from degree programs. Graduates receive both an American and a Kyrgyz National Diploma.
Featured Program
AUCA is perhaps the most popular destination to study Russian outside of Russia. Its programs are designed to facilitate credit transfer to America and its international department is remarkably expedient and friendly. Specialty courses in local studies, international relations, and journalism can also be taken in Russian or English. These services are only available during the regular semester, however, as AUCA is a small institution not operating in summer. During summer, certain studies can still be arranged directly from the professors with material being taught off-campus. Contact SRAS for more details.
Academic Programs at AUCA (Semester Only)
Russian as a Second Language (RSL)
The University
When Kyrgyzstan declared independence in 1991, it was seen as one of Central Asia’s brightest hopes: a democratic-leaning country with a liberal minded president. The country’s relations with the US were close during the nineties. When the Kyrgyz-American School was founded in 1993 within the Kyrgyz State National University to spread American educational ideals in Kyrgyzstan, Al Gore was present for the opening ceremony. When the school expanded into its own university in 1997, Hillary Clinton was present. Commencement speeches have been given by US Ambassadors and by financier George Soros, who called the university "his second favorite child." The university maintains highly respected programs thanks to funding and support from the US State Department, the Open Society Institute, and the Eurasia Foundation. Its graduates have gone on to work for US Embassies, World Bank, Proctor and Gamble, InterFax, the Associated Press, and government agencies.
The Area
The American University in Kyrgyzstan is located in the heart of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The urban campus is surrounded by the tranquility of Oak Park, the city's central libraries, theaters, galleries, museums, and governmental buildings. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan, and there are many cafes and shops within easy walking distance from campus.
Facts & Figures
Private university, founded 1997
Faculties
Humanities: Anglo-American Studies, Austrian & German Studies, Business Administration, Economics, International & Comparative Politics, Journalism, Kyrgyz Ethnology, Law, Psychology, Sociology
Sciences: Information Technology
Language of instruction: Russian and English
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 | I hear many positive comments about the quality of students, the quality of education and the quality of freedom at the University. |  |
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| Geroge Soros, at the 2003 Commencement Ceremony |
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