Research Internship in Washington: Advancing International Academic Cooperation A doctoral internship at American Councils for International Education July 25 – August 27, 2026 • Washington, DC, USA

From July 25 to August 27, 2026, Aldiyar Zhandosovich Seisebayev, a doctoral student in the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation Studies at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, completed a research internship at American Councils for International Education (ACCELS) in Washington, DC. The program combined dissertation work, academic mentorship, and participation in an international academic environment.

A central part of the internship was collaboration with his international academic supervisor, Dr. Dan E. Davidson, Director of the American Councils Research Center, Senior Academic Advisor, co-founder, and President Emeritus of the organization. Their weekly meetings focused on the dissertation project “Corpus Lexicography of English Oxymorons.”

The consultations addressed the theoretical and methodological foundations of the study, principles of corpus analysis, and a multi-source model for identifying, classifying, and lexicographically describing English oxymorons. This collaborative work helped refine the structure of the research and identify the next stages of its development.

The research component concluded with a pre-defense presentation. Presenting the findings to specialists at American Councils provided substantive feedback and marked an important stage in bringing the dissertation toward completion.

During the internship, Aldiyar Seisebayev also took part in a Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) for American students and delivered a presentation titled “Living in Almaty: A Local’s Perspective.” The session introduced participants to Almaty’s cultural and academic environment, everyday life in the city, and the opportunities Kazakhstan offers international students.

The internship provided a practical example of cooperation between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and American Councils for International Education. Initiatives of this kind strengthen international professional ties, expand opportunities for academic exchange, and support the integration of emerging researchers into the global academic community.