The Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) provides intensive, immersion-based language instruction in several of the world's most dynamic and exciting countries. Hosted by faculty from world-leading universities in Almaty, Kazakhstan; Tbilisi, Georgia; Tallinn, Estonia; and Yerevan, Armenia; the program provides approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation, and cultural studies for a semester, summer or academic year. Participants also complete coursework in the history and culture of their host country and may elect to enroll in other language study. RLASP serves both graduate and undergraduate students as well as working professionals. All courses are taught in Russian by expert faculty with experience teaching foreign students. Applicants must have at least two semesters of college-level Russian language instruction or the equivalent. Academic year participants with advanced Russian skills may substitute an independent research project for one of the American Councils area studies courses while continuing their language classes during the second semester. Research projects culminate in a 15- to 20-page research paper written in Russian. There are three application deadlines. February 15 for Summer; March 15 for Fall; and October 15 for Spring. Please visit the award's website or contact the American Councils for International Education for more information.