Frequetly Asked Questions

 1. Age limit (18-25 years old)

  • Can I apply if I am 17 but will be 18 when the program starts? Yes, you can apply.

  • Can I apply if I am 25 but will be 26 when the program starts? Yes, you can apply.

  • Why this age limit? Our program is designed for young women who find themselves at a critical period for decision-making and life choices. We believe the age limit we set encapsulates this period. We also want to avoid having too big an age difference between participants, which could alter the experience. We will not read applications that are outside our age limit.

2. Application

  • Who can apply? Our program is not restricted to young women studying science. You are eligible to apply if: 1) you have an interest for environmental topics, for mountaineering, for the outdoors 2) You are a resident of one of the Central Asian countries 3) You meet the age limit (18–25 years).

  • How many times can I apply for Adventure of Science? You can apply once a year. If you have already taken part in the expedition, please do not apply again. However, if you were part of the “Expedition at Home” program and want to experience the on-field expedition, you are welcome to apply.

  •  The application portal is now closed. Can I email you my answers after the deadline? In theory no. However, if you encountered problems with the application portal, and you had already contacted us before, we can make exceptions.

  • I have submitted my application. When will the results be out? After the submission period, we need some time to review all applications and decide on our final selection of participants. Be patient with us!

  • What should I do if I have issues with the application portal? Firstly, did you check for emoji or symbols? Please avoid those as they can create problems upon submission. Also, do not forget to hit “submit” at the end. If you encounter other problems, please contact us at centralasia@girlsonice.org

  • Can I apply if I don’t speak very well English/Russian? You do not need to be fluent in either of those languages, but you need to be able to communicate in one of them.

  • I am from Tajikistan; will I be able to participate in the program?  We encourage motivated women from Tajikistan to apply despite the situation. The permits were not issued last year for Tajik participants, and it is possible that they will not be issued this year. However, we are doing everything we can for Tajik participants to be able to come in 2024. 

3. Our Program

  • What benefits can I expect from the program? Acquiring knowledge about nature, learning teamwork, building self-confidence, and gaining new friendships!

  • What our program is NOT? We do not propose a holiday, a spiritual retreat, or an opportunity for Instagram posts. We propose an expedition in a mountain environment designed to learn about environmental topics.

  • How challenging is the expedition and what is the level of fitness required to be a participant? We are open to everyone who wants to gain experience in outdoor life. However, you should be able to walk for several hours and carry a backpack. We will accommodate the fitness levels of the participants.

  • How much does the program cost for participants? We cover travel costs between the participants’ home and Bishkek, and back home. Throughout our program, we provide participants’ food and accommodation. We also supply the participants with most of the gear required for the expedition (hiking clothes/shoes, technical gear).

  • What do we expect from participants in return? We expect participants to show interest, and to actively participate in discussions. Participants are expected to carry out a scientific project and to present this project at a public event in Bishkek upon return from the field AND in the international online symposium is organized in autumn.

  • Why females only? Adventure of Science program aims at closing the gender gap in STEM and mountaineering by encouraging female involvement in those fields. Hence, only women are invited to partake in our program.

  • Who is testifying to the credibility and authenticity of “Adventure of Science”? Our program is organized within a project led by the University of Fribourg, in Switzerland, which is accredited and supported by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development. We also collaborate with the UNESCO Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan.