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AC Russian Overseas Flagship Capstone Program

Students are walking through grass to reach a small hut with a metal roof in front of a turquoise body of water. They are near the base of several tree-covered mountains.

Talk to a representative for this program at the Study Abroad Fair.

Kazakhstan, Almaty

Offered through the American Councils for International Education (ACTR/ACCELS), the Overseas Russian Flagship program is an approved UW affiliate program. The Overseas Russian Flagship Program, which takes place at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is a rigorous academic yearlong program. It is intended for highly motivated students of all majors who have achieved an Advanced (ILR 2) level of proficiency in Russian who wish to reach a Superior (ILR 3) level of proficiency. The program provides intensive, professional language training and development through coursework in Russian as a foreign language that targets the Superior level of proficiency, courses in the student's major field of study, individual and small-group tutoring, a professional internship, and a homestay with a Kazakh family.

UW-Madison undergraduates who are interested in applying to the Overseas Russian Flagship program must be admitted students to the UW-Madison (domestic) Russian Flagship program. Russian Flagship students are required to complete a minimum of 6 weeks of study abroad in an approved intensive Russian-language program at the secondary or post-secondary level prior to application to the Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF) capstone program. This pre-capstone study abroad program must include at least 20 hours per week of formal academic instruction in Russian and a homestay with a Russian-speaking family.

You will be working closely with both IAP and ACTR on this program. You can access the program's main information page through ACTR to learn more about the academics, housing, excursions and activities, and location.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled and in good standing with the UW-Madison Russian Flagship Program

  • 3.5 cumulative GPA in all Russian language courses.
  • Student must have previously studied on an approved Russian-language study abroad program at the secondary level or above for at least 6 weeks.

    Pre-Capstone program must include at least 20 hours a week of formal academic instruction in Russian and a homestay with a Russian-speaking family.

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Student must demonstrate an Advanced (ILR 2) level of proficiency in Russian

  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Provider

Subjects

intensive Russian language, Russian culture and area studies

Classroom Language

Russian

Housing

Local Hosts

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late August - Late May

Application Deadline(s)

Year 2026-27 1/9/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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This exciting academic-year-long program is conducted entirely in Russian in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The program is hosted by the Department of Philology, Theory of Literature, and World Languages (Факультет филологии, литературоведения и мировых языков) of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, affording Flagship students access to courses and academic resources of this world-famous center for the study of Russian language and culture and one of Kazakhstan’s most respected universities.

The Flagship curriculum was carefully designed by American and Russian specialists in Russian language teaching to provide individualized and intensive language training for students. In addition to Flagship courses, students directly enroll in one course at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The course, which students take with Kazakh students, is conducted entirely in Russian. As part of this program, you will complete a professional internship during the spring semester.

Learn more about the program at the American Councils Flagship site.

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents