From August 21 (Mon.) to September 15 (Fri.), 2023, the Kyrgyz-Japan Center Summer One-Month Russian Skill Improvement Course (26 days) was held in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. Twenty-two students from Japanese universities nationwide and three from Tsukuba University participated.
This program was established in cooperation with the University of Tsukuba, the Kyrgyz Republic-Japan Center (KRJC) supported by the JICA project, and Kyrgyz National University. It aims to provide opportunities for Russian language students to study Russian in Kyrgyzstan, where Russian is the official language, especially given the current difficulties in studying abroad in Russia.
Therefore, this program is designed for students majoring in Russian or studying it as a second language at Japanese universities. It includes 58 hours of Russian language courses (elementary and intermediate levels), 8 hours of introductory Kyrgyz language courses, a 20-night homestay, visits to Kyrgyz schools, exchange programs with Kyrgyz and university students, and an optional tour of Lake Issyk Kul. Participants also engage in international cooperation activities, experiencing nomadic and Islamic cultures amidst the region’s stunning natural landscapes. Comprehensive Japanese support is provided before, during, and after the program.
Students from various universities, including the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Sophia University, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Waseda University, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Kanazawa University, and Toyama University, participated in this event. It offered valuable opportunities for interactions with Kyrgyz people and students from other universities interested in Russian and Kyrgyz languages.
Furthermore, a debriefing session for program returnees was held on Thursday, October 19, 2023. For more details, please refer to the report on the return trip. https://centralasia.jinsha.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/info/9716
