American Councils is excited to offer an immersive overseas Armenian language program in Yerevan, Armenia available year round.
Through intensive language instruction, homestays with Armenian families, cultural activities, excursions, internships and volunteer opportunities, and regular meetings with conversation partners, participants enjoy the unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves fully in an Armenian-language environment while living in the country's vibrant capital. Expert, native speakers of Armenian conduct intensive language classes in small groups or individualized tutorials at Yerevan State University.
Courses are designed to engage students at all proficiency levels, from complete beginners to advanced and heritage speakers. In addition to intensive instruction in Armenian language and culture, the program provides students with a rich understanding of Armenia's history, traditions, society, and contemporary political landscape. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia offers an exceptional setting for developing advanced language proficiency while gaining firsthand insight into one of the South Caucasus' most dynamic and historically significant countries.
Yerevan, the capital and heart of Armenia, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities - a place where ancient history meets a lively, modern European rhythm. Known as the “Pink City” for its stunning rose-colored tuff stone architecture, Yerevan captivates visitors with its blend of elegance, warmth, and creativity. The city’s vibrant café culture rivals that of Paris or Vienna, with locals and travelers alike gathering over rich Armenian coffee, freshly baked lavash, and sweet pastries in open-air terraces. From bustling markets filled with fragrant spices and local produce to refined restaurants serving traditional dishes like khorovats (Armenian barbecue) and dolma, Yerevan’s culinary scene is a celebration of taste and tradition.
Beyond its food, Yerevan provides endless opportunities for exploration. The Cascade Complex offers sweeping views of Mount Ararat, while Republic Square comes alive each evening with music, fountains, and light. Museums, art galleries, and lively street performances reveal the city’s deep appreciation for art and history. Blending timeless heritage with cosmopolitan sophistication, Yerevan welcomes everyone to experience its beauty, flavor, and soul.
The ERLP academic program is designed to improve students' oral, listening, and reading proficiency in Armenian. Course work typically includes classes in grammar, conversation, reading, and writing. Language courses also cover topics in literature, history, politics, culture, mass media, and area studies.
Language classes are conducted in either small groups of two to five students or in tutorials. Students receive approximately 15 hours per week of in-class contact hours. All classes are conducted by multilingual expert faculty from Yerevan State University who have extensive experience teaching foreign students in Armenian.
Programming in multiple languages or dialects (example: Armenian + Russian) may be available upon request for semester and academic year participants.
Participants receive academic credit through Bryn Mawr College, an institutional partner of American Councils. Semester students may audit classes at Yerevan State University.
EURA 320 | Advanced Conversation: Armenian | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 330 | Advanced Grammar: Armenian | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 350 | Advanced Conversation: Armenian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 360 | Advanced Grammar: Armenian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 314 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 352 | Advanced Conversation: Armenian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 362 | Advanced Grammar: Armenian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 315 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 515 | Advanced Conversation: Armenian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 525 | Advanced Grammar: Armenian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 550 | Advanced Conversation: Armenian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 560 | Advanced Grammar: Armenian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 513 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 552 | Advanced Conversation: Armenian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 562 | Advanced Grammar: Armenian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 514 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/5 Credits
ERLP Yerevan students live with specially selected host families who provide breakfast and dinner seven days per week. Participants reside in fully furnished, private rooms and are provided their own keys to the apartment. In addition to invaluable logistical support, host families offer unique insight into daily life in Armenia, ongoing Armenian language practice in a warm and supportive environment, regular advice and assistance, and wide-ranging discussions of cultural nuances. AC staff vet all host families, regularly visit program participants at home, and closely monitor participant housing throughout the program.
One day a week is set aside for travel to local sites of social, cultural, and historical significance. All excursions are conducted in Armenian and include sites such as museums, churches, schools, research centers, and theatres. Towards the middle of the semester, resident directors arrange extended regional field studies trips outside of the host city. For summer participants, these regional field studies take place at the end of the program.
Visit monuments, monasteries and cathedrals, and other heritage sites.
Experience traditions through festivals, performances, and authentic community interactions.
Tour museums to learn deeply about Armenia's history.
Travel beyond Yerevan and discover unique regional landscapes and culture.
To aid cultural integration and support academic learning, participants have the opportunity to meet with conversation partners for two hours per week. Conversation partners introduce participants to locals, accompany participants on sightseeing tours, organize cultural activities, and provide students with academic support. The conversation partners are expected to speak only the target language to provide extra language immersion.
Founded in 1919, Yerevan State University (YSU) is Armenia’s oldest university, enrolling 20,000 regular students in over 90 different fields. Widely considered Armenia’s leading institution of higher education, it was listed among the 1,000 best universities of the world in the 2022 QS World University Ranking. ERLP Yerevan participants attend classes at the main YSU campus, a ten-minute walk from the nearest Metro station and fifteen minutes from the center of Yerevan.
Multiple sources of funding are available to support participants in paying for programs abroad. Participants are encouraged to apply for private scholarships, federal aid and grants, college/university scholarships, and American Councils fellowships and scholarships.
Summer participants attend a two-day orientation program on site immediately upon arrival in Yerevan (where they are met at the airport by AC Staff). Semester participants attend a two-day pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. before the start of their programs. Orientation sessions cover health and safety, academic culture, host-family life, cultural adjustment, onsite support, and strategies for maximizing language learning. Lodging and meals are provided.
While abroad, participants have access to full-time in-country staff who offer academic, administrative, and personal support, as well as 24/7 emergency assistance. The AC Study Abroad team in Washington, D.C. stays in close contact with study abroad offices, university partners, and family members throughout the program
All participants are covered by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) for the duration of the program. CISI provides up to $250,000 in medical coverage per accident or illness and full emergency medical evacuation coverage.
American Councils provides visa support for participants for the duration of the program, if applicable. Students are responsible for obtaining any additional visas required by their travel plans. Visa instructions and forms are provided after acceptance.
