Yerevan, Armenia
July 15 – August 15, 2019

This intensive summer program will take place between July 15 and August 15, 2019, lasting four weeks. The program will consist of three parallel language courses – Armenian, Persian and Turkish – and a series of seminars devoted to topics in connected histories of Armenia, Iran and Anatolia. The syllabus for the latter part of the program, designed with consideration of applicants’ specific interests, as well as required reading materials, will be made available to students before the start of the program.

Language classes, held in separate groups five days a week four hours per day, will be conducted in respective languages (please visit this page to read our instructors’ bios). Seminars, held twice a week in the afternoons and conducted in English, will bring together students of all language groups. Additionally, one day a week will be devoted to poetry recitals, film screenings or musical performances.

The program is primarily, though not exclusively, targeted at advanced undergraduate and graduate students with interests in relevant fields. While applicants of different levels will be considered, preference will be given to those who have already achieved the intermediate or advanced levels. Apart from learning in the classroom, students will be able to practice their language skills in conversations with fellow participants from Armenia, Turkey and Iran.

MA and PhD students engaged in research and interested in working on particular sources will also be given an opportunity to receive additional guidance on individual basis.

Our aim is that by broadening their knowledge of historical connections between Anatolia, Armenia and Iran, and learning to see languages in a wide linguistic and cultural context, students would gain deeper insights into the topics of their study and discover new interests and new ways of thinking. Furthermore, we hope that the summer school will build lasting friendships and academic connections that could help breach cultural borders and borders between different scholarly traditions.

Fees and deadlines

The cost of the program is 1400 USD, which covers tuition fees, class materials and the cost of two field trips. As a non-profit organization, Mejlis Institute will only use collected fees to cover operational costs of the program, and any remaining surplus will be reinvested in future programs. Participants are responsible for finding their own accommodation in Yerevan, which is a very safe and affordable city. Once the list of participants is finalized, we will put them in touch with one another, and those considering shared accommodation options will have a chance to connect with potential flatmates.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2019. Tuition fees must be paid through an international bank transfer by May 15, 2019. Please fill out the application form here.

Financial aid

Applications from students who are strongly motivated to participate in the program but might not have financial means to pay the program fees will be considered on individual basis. To qualify for a partial or full tuition waiver students will be required to submit a recommendation letter from an academic advisor testifying to the applicant’s merit and circumstances of financial need.