TCNJ has a unique relationship with the Technological University of Tajikistan in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe.  TCNJ has an exciting program in Central Eurasian Studies, which combines courses in the humanities and social sciences with language study in Arabic, Persian, Russian, and Turkish.  TUT provides opportunities for students to take Persian language classes while taking other liberal learning classes in English.

Students who would like to learn more about the Central Eurasian Studies minor should contact Dr. Jo-Ann Gross, Professor of History, at gross@tcnj.edu.  Dr. Gross will be teaching PER 171 The Contemporary Persian-Speaking World in Spring 2012, providing students with an opportunity to introduce themselves to the peoples of Central Asia and determine if they would be good candidates for the TCNJ-TUT exchange program.   There is also a Central Eurasian Studies and Middle Eastern Studies Society – CESMES – that holds regular meetings and events, including the Nowruz new year celebration in March.

Students interested in intensive language study in Persian, Tajik, Turkish, and other languages of the region should consider participating in the CLS Scholarship competition as well as the American Councils Eurasian Regional Language Program various countries located in the former Soviet Union.