Discover one of the world’s most fascinating crossroads where Europe meets Asia, empires meet independence, and ancient cultures meet modern change. 

Base yourself in Yerevan, Armenia, a city older than Rome and alive with creativity, music, and color. From here, you’ll explore the rich cultures, religions, and politics that shape the South Caucasus, a region that’s as complex as it is beautiful. Learn Russian (no experience required), live with a welcoming host family, and experience first-hand how this region continues to define the balance between conflict and cooperation, tradition and transformation. 

Between classes, you’ll wander through open-air markets, visit ancient monasteries carved into cliffs, and share stories over coffee in Yerevan’s lively cafes. You’ll also travel to Tbilisi, Georgia, a stunning capital of winding streets, art, and dialogue which offers a second window into the Caucasus experience. 

About The Program

Students earn semester credit in international studies, political science, and history, and can choose to study Armenian alongside Russian for an even deeper experience. No prior language study is required. This newly designed program offers graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to combine courses on the historical, religious, economic, and political forces shaping the South Caucasus today (taught in English) with Russian language study. Students examine both the causes of conflict and the foundations for potential lasting peace in this complex region, with particular focus on Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. In addition to academic semester credit in such fields as international studies, political science, and history, students receive Russian language credit. No prior study of Russian is required for this program.

Program Highlights 

• Live with a local host family and experience the legendary hospitality of Armenia. 

• Take part in excursions across Armenia and Georgia, including an extended trip to Tbilisi. 

• Study Russian or add Armenian for an even deeper connection to the region. 

• Earn academic credit while gaining global insight into one of the world’s most geopolitically significant regions. 

Students travel to Tbilisi, Georgia for an extended weekend as part of the program.

In addition to Russian, students may elect to study Armenian while on the program.

Academic Courses

Participant receive a total of 16 academic semester credit for the program for the following courses:

Conflict and Security in the South Caucasus
(4 semester credits)

This course provides a historical survey of the region beginning in the early 20th century, with particular attention to the world wars, the Holocaust, the Armenian genocide, the Warsaw Pact, the collapse of the Soviet Union, regional conflicts (particularly the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict), the war in Ukraine, immigration, and the current security situation. Students will examine such questions as: What trends can be identified in the regional politics of the Caucasus over the past century? How might identifying those trends help to avoid future crises? What are the major obstacle to peace and stability in the region today? How has Russia’s influence in the region changed since World War Two? How has Iran’s position affected the region and how might it factor into the future? How will the role of the U.S. in NATO affect the region? Will conflicts grow larger and more dangerous in the future? How can diplomacy help foster peace and stability?

Culture of the South Caucasus
(4 semester credits)

This course examines the major intellectual and artistic movements shaping the region in the 20th and 21st centuries with particular attention to film, art, literature, and music. It examines such questions as: How have the region’s artists and thinkers responded to the major social and political events of recent history? How have artists and intellectuals sought to foster peace and overcome conflict? How have they shaped disputes? What role do they play today in the region’s development? How have they responded to the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the growth of autocracy in Georgia, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, immigration, and the rise of new political parties in Western Europe? How have the region’s artists and intellectuals influenced thought and global culture more broadly?

Contemporary Society
(4 semester credits)

This course is designed to provide students with a greater understanding of contemporary society in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, with particular attention to politics, religion, economics, education, and mass media. Students will consider such questions as: What are the major issues in each of these societies today? What pressures does the average person have to face? Which trends are promoting stability and growth? Which may lead to greater upheaval? The course includes a trip to Tbilisi, Georgia in addition to regular excursions and cultural activities in and around Yerevan.

Russian Language
(4 semester credits)

Students complete five hours per week of in-class Russian language study in small groups. Russian language classes are designed to produce measurable gains in speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills through high energy, student-centered instruction and communicative teaching strategies. Students are placed in small groups according to language proficiency.

Cultural Activities

One day per week, students participate in a program of integrated cultural activities and site visits arranged by American Councils in consultation with YSU faculty. Activities and excursions are designed to broaden participants’ understanding of classroom materials and host country culture by exposing them to a wide range of historical, religious, and architectural sites. Before each excursion, students gain an appreciation of the historical and cultural context for the planned outings, in which their instructors and local students often also participate.

Weekly excursions typically include: Matenadaran, an institute of ancient manuscripts in Yerevan; Noravank, Geghard, and Khor Virap, among the most ancient monasteries in Armenia; Garni, the country’s last remaining pagan temple, dating back to the 1st century AD; Jermuk hot springs and waterfall, a popular health resort; the Soviet Club, an interactive museum of artifacts from Soviet life in Armenia; the Sergei Parajanov Museum, dedicated to the life of the great Armenian/Soviet filmmaker and thinker; and vineyards surrounding Yerevan, where students participate in a guided tour exploring the rich history and culture of winemaking in Armenia.

Each semester, the Resident Director also leads an extended excursion outside Yerevan so that participants may explore new regions and cities. Groups typically visit Gyumri, formerly known as Alexandropol, the largest city during the Russian empire period and one of the few municipalities still featuring classical and modern Armenian architecture. Other destinations include Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest body of water (covering 5% of the country) and one of its most scenic natural areas.

The Resident Director also leads the group on an extended trip to Tbilisi, Georgia.

Conversation Partners

To provide further assistance with acculturation and additional opportunities to develop language skills, students are matched with peer conversation partners. Program faculty interview and select conversation partners from students enrolled at Yerevan State University. Conversation partners formally meet with students twice per week. In addition to academic support, conversation partners take a personal interest in their American colleagues, often inviting them to their homes and introducing them to their friends and family. Many students report that their conversation partners provide invaluable opportunities for them to find new social networks. The development of such friendships is a key component of successful acculturation and language development. Students also typically develop new friendships through a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, culture clubs, discussion clubs, musical instrument lessons, choirs, and volunteer service in the host community. 

Housing

Participants live with specially selected host families, who provide two meals per day, seven days a week. Participants reside in fully furnished, private rooms. In addition to invaluable logistical support, host families offer unique insight into daily life in Armenia; life in a warm, supportive environment; regular advice and assistance; and wide-ranging discussions of cultural nuances as participants adapt.

About Yerevan and Armenia

Bordering Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, Armenia provides a unique vantage point from which to experience the complex intersection of religious faiths, nationalities, ethnicities, and ideologies that have shaped the South Caucasus for much of the modern age. This dynamic mix of traditions, beliefs, and allegiances will play an increasingly vital role in the region’s future as Russia’s once-profound influence wanes with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent peace settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh. By engaging with university peers, host family members, faculty, and new local friends, program participants gain a rare understanding of local perspective on the region and the world – a dynamic, living context for their classroom studies and research.

Known as the “Pink City” for the volcanic tuff stone that gives its architecture a distinctive hue, Yerevan is a dynamic, welcoming European metropolis where East meets West and the ancient blends with the modern. With a population of just over one million, the city features a vibrant night life that includes world-class jazz, electronic dance, and experimental music, as well as bustling (and affordable) restaurants and cafés. The Cascade, an architectural wonder consisting of tiered gardens, museum, galleries, and cafes, is one of the city’s most popular attractions. As the capital city of the world’s first Christian country, Yerevan and its surroundings are also home to history’s oldest and most impressive churches and monasteries.

About the Host University

Founded in 1919, Yerevan State University (YSU) is Armenia’s premier institution of higher education and one of the oldest universities in the region. With over 20,000 students and programs across more than 90 fields, YSU is ranked among the top universities globally by QS World University Rankings. The main campus sits just minutes from Yerevan’s historic center—close to cafes, museums, and metro connections. 

On-Site Support and Preparation

The American Councils Resident Director (RD) provides ongoing support and 24-hour emergency aid to students as they adjust to life and study overseas. All American Councils RD’s undergo extensive training on such topics as mental health, sexual assault/harassment prevention and response, emergency procedures and protocols, public health policies and protocols, university relations, and communications. The RD reports directly to the program manager and maintains daily contact with the Washington, DC office via email and phone. The RD carries a cell phone and can be contacted 24-hours per day, as can all American Councils program staff in Washington, DC. All participants are enrolled in comprehensive overseas accident and illness insurance as part of their program fee; insurance includes the cost of medical treatment abroad, as well as medical emergency and security evacuation.

Upon admission to the program, students receive a detailed program handbook with extensive information on courses and academic credit, program policies and requirements, onsite support, health and safety, and daily life in their host country. Students also undergo an extensive, multi-day program orientation upon arrival in-country at the program’s start. Orientation sessions address the academic program, classroom expectations and culture, program policies, health and safety, group dynamics, and life with a host family. Workshops and seminars also explore mental health challenges, culture shock, counseling resources available to students, policies to prevent and respond to sexual assault and harassment, and emergency procedures.

Financial Aid

American Councils has several scholarships available for students applying to The Caucasus Today: Security, Conflict, and Culture program. Applicants can apply for financial aid in the program application. Learn more about financial aid available on this program.

Program Snapshot

Location

Yerevan State University

Yerevan, Armenia

Language of Instruction

English

Program Dates
Fall 2026
Dates forthcoming

Spring 2027
Dates forthcoming

Program Cost

Fall: $16,400

Spring: $16,400

Academic Year: $29,900

Applications Deadlines:

Fall and Academic Year: March 15

Spring: October 15

Program Eligibility

• Minimum GPA of 2.7

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline