Join the Undergraduate Fellowship Office to learn about the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, an immersive summer opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world.
Critical languages are languages that are essential to the United States’ national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world, and that tend to be less commonly taught in the United States or have relatively few proficient speakers. The CLS Program plays an important role in preparing American students for the 21st century’s globalized workforce, increasing American competitiveness, and contributing to national security. CLS scholars build mutual understanding with the people of their host countries and represent the diversity of the United States.
Students spend eight to ten weeks over the summer studying one of thirteen critical languages in classes facilitated by native speakers at a host institution abroad. The application deadline is in early November each year.