Russian Overseas Flagship
Forecasted
Russian Overseas Flagship supports U.S. Flagship undergraduates through immersive study and professional internships in Kazakhstan to develop superior Russian proficiency and professional language skills.
Funder: American Councils for International Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (ROF AY 2027–28 application) | January 2027 (Boren Scholarship application)
Funding Amounts: Funding available through Boren Awards; nine-month overseas program
Summary: Supports U.S. Flagship undergraduates in developing superior Russian proficiency through immersive study and professional internships in Kazakhstan.
Key Information: Applicants must be enrolled in the Language Flagship Program and complete its domestic component before overseas study.
Description
American Councils for International Education’s Russian Overseas Flagship provides advanced Russian learners with an immersive capstone year in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Established in 2004, the program is part of the Language Flagship’s national effort to transform language learning and develop superior proficiency in languages critical to U.S. competitiveness and security. The overseas component follows domestic preparation at participating U.S. Flagship universities.
Hosted by al-Farabi Kazakh National University, the nine-month program combines more than 30 hours of classroom-based language learning each week with content-based electives, individualized tutorials, and conversation partners. Russian-speaking homestays and bi-weekly excursions, including overnight trips, extend immersion beyond the classroom. Regular university courses in students’ areas of specialization and internships with local organizations support professionally focused language development.
