Critical Language Scholarship Program A Program of the U.S. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Critical Language Scholarship Program

A Program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Program Overview

• 8- to 10-week summer program
• Intense language study and

cultural immersion abroad

• Equivalent to one year of college

language study

• Full scholarship
• Approximately 550 scholarships

awarded annually in 14 languages

Program Overview

• Increase the number and

diversity of Americans studying and mastering languages that are critical to nat atio ional s al securit rity and econom

• nomic p

prosp

• sperity
• Prepare students for a

glo lobaliz alized w work rkforce

Fourteen Languages Offered

• Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian,

Korean, Punjabi, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu

No experience required

• Arabic, Persian

Some experience required

• Chinese, Japanese, Russian

Two years of study required

Program Benefits

• Domesti

tic tr c travel to/from Washington for the required pre-departure orientation

• Intern

rnat atio ional t al travel l to/from host country

• Applicable vis

visa fees

• Housin

ing an and me meals als

• Cult

ltural al ac activit ivitie ies an and group t trip rips in host country

• U.S

.S. . ac acad ademic mic c credit it through Bryn Mawr College

Intensive Language Learning

• 20 hours of class per week
• Language pledge
• Most students live with host families
• All students have a language partner
• Cultural classes and activities
• Excursions to explore the cultural

heritage of the host country

What Does “Intensive” Mean?

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 9:00AM 10:00AM 11:00AM 12:00PM 1:00PM 2:00PM 3:00PM 4:00PM 5:00PM 6:00PM Evenings: 7:00PM- sleep

Language Classes

Cultural Class/ Activity Language Partner Cultural Class/ Activity Language Partner

Cultural Excursion

Study/Free

Cultural Excursion

Study/Free Study/Free Study for exam/Free

CLS is a “Group-Based” Program

• Program sites range from cohorts of

5 to 30 students

• Everyone shares the same weekly

schedule

• 20 hours of class with only CLS

participants

• Cultural activities and local excursions
• Weekend overnight group trips
• CLS is not a research, independent

study, or internship program

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. citizen
• Enrolled in a degree-seeking

program at an American college

• r university
• At least 18 years old
• Want to learn a critical language

and apply it in their future studies or career!

An Opportunity for Everyone

• Open to all fields of study
• Summer commitment only
• Offers academic credit
• CLS actively recruits students from

groups under-represented in study abroad

• Supportive environment for first-time

and experienced travelers alike

• Alumni network and mentor programs
• CLS is fully funded!

CLS Participants (2017)

• Over 40% identify as students of color
• Students come from public and private

institutions, community colleges, and minority-serving institutions

• Nearly all 50 states, the District of

Columbia, and Puerto Rico represented

• A wide variety of fields of study,

including 16% STEM

• 27% First-generation college students
• 77% Undergraduate, 23% Graduate

Accessibility

• All

ll applicants are encouraged to consider the challenges of program ahead of time.

• CLS institutes are often in remote

locations.

• Public services for persons with disabilities

and access to medical resources may be limited.

• Despite challenges, the experience can

be extremely rewarding.

• CLS does not discriminate on the basis
• f disability or medical condition.

Why You Should Apply

• Make rapid gains in language skills:
• Students complete two semesters worth of coursework
• Immersive cultural experience
• Advance your career:
• Many U.S. companies give advantage to candidates with language skills
• Employers are looking for ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with people in

cross-cultural settings

• Alumni receive non-competitive eligibility for U.S. government jobs
• Make meaningful connections in your host country and become part of a vibrant

community of State Department alumni

Application is Available Now

• Online application at www.clscholarship.org
• Apply for one language only
• Not for a specific country or site
• Applicants must prepare:
• Unofficial transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• Essay responses
• Four Short Answer Essays (100-350 words)
• One Longer Personal Statement (500 words)

Tips for a Successful Application

• Start your application early, and seek on-

campus resources to help you improve your essays!

• Make a clear connection between the target

language and your future academic and career plans.

• Demonstrate that you are prepared to

succeed in an intensive, group-based program.

• Watch the CLS Application Tips video on

YouTube for more detailed advice.

Additional Study Abroad Resources

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program
• Boren Scholarships and Fellowships

studyabroad.state.gov

Selection Timeline

September 18– Application Opens November 15 – Application Deadline Late November – Recommendation Letters Due February/March – Notification

For more information: www.clscholarship.org cls@americancouncils.org For other opportunities: exchanges.state.gov Stay in touch!

fb.com/CLScholarship @CLSScholarship @CLScholarship