Washington, DC — American Councils for International Education and the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) will launch Social Entrepreneurship: Community and Innovation in Central Asia, a groundbreaking semester study abroad program that blends social entrepreneurship, problem-based learning, and Central Asian Studies beginning fall 2026.
Located in Bishkek—once an important stop on the Silk Road and now Kyrgyzstan’s political and cultural center—AUCA stands as one of Central Asia’s most prestigious and forward-looking institutions, offering an ideal setting for U.S. students to gain a global perspective on what it means to create positive, lasting change.
Working on teams with local students in Bishkek, participants will research community needs and develop new products that address key challenges faced by local residents. Teams will bring their ideas to life in the AUCA Makerspace, a high-tech workshop that empowers students to experiment boldly, prototype new concepts, and collaborate with fellow changemakers while mastering cutting-edge skills.
Product development will be an integral part of coursework in Social Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, taught by AUCA faculty. Students will also gain new insights into the cultures and societies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—countries that form a critically important, resource-rich region linking Europe and Asia.
As students research, design, test, and develop new products, they will gain extensive hands-on experience in the skills most in demand in today’s job market, including team management, problem solving, critical thinking, and adaptability. They will also develop the digital and technical literacy widely sought by employers. Equally important, participants will forge lasting connections with their host communities and Central Asian peers as they work together to understand and address real-world challenges.
“This is the kind of study abroad program that employers really take notice of,” said Brian Gibson, Vice President of Academic, Language, and Cultural Programs at American Councils. “Students will return to the United States with extensive experience in precisely the skills that employers have said they are looking for. And, they will have real insights into a region that the United States has determined is vital to its national security, but which few Americans understand.”
Recognizing that finances remain the single greatest barrier to studying abroad, American Councils has launched several new scholarships to expand access to this program and others. These initiatives include new funding for the Dan Davidson Fellowship, the American Councils Opportunity Scholarships, and the inaugural President’s Scholarship for Travel.
For more information about financial aid and scholarships, visit the American Councils Study Abroad website.