October 25, 2017
Applications are now beeing accepted for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.
Summer 2018 Deadline
November 15, 2017
Program Overview
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, through the US Department of State, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 14 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
Program Benefits
The CLS Program covers most of the costs of participating in its overseas institutes, including:
International and domestic travel between the student's U.S. home city, Washington, D.C., and the CLS Program site
Related costs for a mandatory pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C.
Visa fees, language instruction, room, board, program-sponsored travel within the host country
All entrance fees for program activities
Languages Offered
Offered at all levels
Azerbaijani
Bangla
Hindi
Indonesian
Korean
Punjabi
Swahili
Turkish
Urdu
Requires at least one academic year of prior target language study or the equivalent
Arabic
Persian
Requires at least two academic years of prior target language study or the equivalent
Chinese
Japanese
Russian
Students can apply online at the CLS website.