CC in Central Asia Program
CC in Central Asia: Fall 2026
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan & Almaty, Kazakhstan
Half-Semester: Blocks 1-2
2026 Program Leader: Prof. Alexei Pavlenko
The CC in Central Asia program offers a rich and diverse cultural experience in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. We explore the cities of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Almaty in Kazakhstan, and Tashkent and Samarkand in Uzbekistan — the ancient gateways to the Great Silk Roads. We visit the state museums of fine arts and history, concert halls, churches, mosques, and bazaars; Ala-Archa Canyon and National Park; the Ala-Too Mountain range; and the pearl of Central Asia — Lake Issyk-Köl, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Students try their hand at felting and cooking traditional dishes.
The program is organized in partnership with the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Classes are led and taught by a Colorado College professor, with support from local faculty. Courses are conducted in English and Russian under the Colorado College Block Plan, offering 2 units of Russian language credit at any level, meeting the 2-unit CEL:Lang language requirement. Students stay with Russian-speaking host families in both Bishkek and Almaty.