INTRODUCTION

The University of Northern Iowa and the Taraz State University offer a unique opportunity for UNI students to study in the picturesque city of Taraz at a highly respected teacher education university in Kazakhstan and experience the hospitality of people in Central Asia. Due to Kazakhstan’s central geographic location in Central Asia, UNI students will experience life in an important cultural crossroads city of the 21st Century. This study abroad program offers UNI students: opportunities to meet Kazakhstani students who are preparing for teaching, comfortable accommodations on the Taraz campus, 6 credits of teaching methods and cultural/language enrichment courses, as well as rewarding cultural and social activities.

AN INSIDE PEEK AT KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan stretches over a vast expanse of Central Asia. In area, it is the ninth largest country in the world and is about the size of Western Europe. A portion of its territory west of the Ural River is actually part of Eastern-most Europe. Kazakhstan borders Russia to the north, the Peoples’ Republic of China to the east, and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the south, as well as the Caspian Sea to the west. Kazakhstan was part of the former Soviet Union until declaring its independence on December 16, 1991. Today, Kazakhstan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States and other international organizations.

One of the largest tourist centers of Kazakhstan is Taraz, the city, standing on the “Great Silk Road”. This beautiful city stands on the site of the ancient city of Taraz, which flourished as a stop along the Silk Road from Europe to China until it was destroyed by Mongol armies in the 13th century. It's known and recognized as the oldest city in Kazakhstan, with just celebrating its 2000th birthday in 2001. Taraz is a city and also a center of what is today known as the southern province of Zhambyl Province in Kazakhstan. Camels, Bears, Elk, Foxes, Wolves, Deer, Sables, Ermine and Falcons are said to be roaming around the cities in Kazakhstan as well as right outside of Taraz. In Taraz, expect to see mild winters along with extreme heat in the summers. The city itself has around 330,000 people from many different distinct backgrounds and ethnicities. Visitors to this city will experience Muslim mosques, ancient structural phenoms and beautiful sites of the surrounding mountains. The people of Kazakhstan are acclaimed to be very hospitable and friendly to tourists and treat them with a great deal of respect.

The Taraz State University prepares future teachers for elementary and secondary schools of the country. Traditionally, most of the graduates go to teach in rural places. Established in 1998, as a means of combining 3 of the different Kazakh universities, the school now enrolls more than 10,000 students. The school itself has 12 different departments and specializes in the areas of natural and social sciences, word languages and literature in English and Kazakh, Law, business and economics, light and textile industries, information technology, food engineering, psychology, and most importantly, teaching. There are more than 700 professors at the university at which 80% of the lectures are in the native Kazakh language.

This 4-week program for UNI students is organized by the UNI Study Abroad Center. The program will be led by a UNI College of Education professor – Dr. David Landis. Dr. Landis has extensive teaching and research experience in Kazakhstan, where he and his family lived for several months. The courses will be conducted in English in Taraz, Kazakhstan, while cultural activities will allow participants to visit other parts of the region.

The objectives of this study abroad program are to learn about teaching literacy from experienced teachers and to make new university friends. UNI participants in this program will have the opportunity to teach and learn in upper elementary classrooms in Taraz and to meet English-speaking Kazakh university students who are also preparing for teaching. In addition to learning about teaching methods, the program offers a introductory class in languages as well as ancient cultures in Kazakhstan.

A. 230:116. Methods of Teaching Literacy in the Intermediate Grades—3 credit hrs.
Reading and writing instruction in grades 3-6, with an emphasis on integrating reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as integration across content areas.

B. 230:186g. Studies in Central Asian Languages and Cultures—3 credit hrs.
Introduction to listening, reading, speaking and writing in two languages: Kazakh and Central Asian Russian. Includes visits to cultural/historical sites.

English will be used as a language of instruction. Students will also receive an introduction to Central Asian Russian and Kazakh languages.

During Summer 2007, this program begins June 4 and concludes June 30. Participants would return to the US about July 2 or 3 so they could enroll in another UNI July term courses.

UNI students have accommodations on the Taraz State University campus. Each student will share a room with another student. Meals will be provided.

UNI students pay UNI tuition and fees (in-state or out-of-state) plus the study abroad fee to participate. Participants should expect to pay about $1500-$2000 for round-trip air transportation, plus additional costs of about $100 for international health insurance, and $500 for accommodations, meals, and in-country travel.

Participants in this program may use their UNI financial aid to help pay for the program. Study Abroad Scholarships and a variety of external funding options are available to those who qualify.

In order to receive 6 UNI credits, applicants must be fully admitted to UNI's teacher preparation program prior to the time abroad, have departmental approval for participation, and an overall G.P.A. of 2.5. Those NOT interested in student credit should contact UNI Study Abroad Center.

A complete set of application materials, available at the UNI Study Abroad Center, will include one original and one copy of the following:

Inquires regarding this program should be directed to:
Yana Cornish, Study Abroad Coordinator
Office of International Programs
59 Baker Hall, UNI
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0520
Tel: 319/ 273-7078
Fax: 319/ 273-2921