Transform Your Future with the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully funded summer language and cultural immersion program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This prestigious scholarship aims to expand the number of Americans proficient in critical foreign languages that are essential for America’s engagement in global economic, political, and security landscapes. The program provides an unparalleled opportunity for WMU students to gain intensive language instruction and firsthand cultural experience.

Why Pursue the CLS Program?

• Intensive Language Training: The CLS Program offers rigorous language study in 15 critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Swahili. Participants complete the equivalent of a full year of university-level language study within an 8–10 week immersive summer session.
• Full Scholarship Benefits: The CLS is fully funded, covering all major costs such as travel, tuition, housing, meals, and structured cultural enrichment activities, ensuring that finances are not a barrier to participation.
• Cultural Immersion: Beyond language learning, participants engage in meaningful cultural exchange, fostering mutual understanding and building connections with host communities.
• Career Advantages: Alumni of the CLS Program are highly regarded in fields such as international business, government service, global development, and academia. The program’s focus on critical languages makes it a solid stepping stone for roles in diplomacy, national security, and international relations.
• Commitment to Diversity: The CLS Program emphasizes inclusive participation, with nearly 50% of its recipients self-identifying as racial or ethnic minorities and approximately 20% as first-generation college students.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Who Can Apply? U.S. citizens enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at accredited U.S. institutions are eligible to apply. Prior language experience is not required for many languages offered.
• Program Requirements: Participants must commit to intensive daily language study and active cultural participation throughout the program.

Application Process and Support at WMU

1. Pre-Application Advising: Schedule a meeting with WMU’s CLS Advisor, Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland, to explore the benefits of the CLS Program and discuss your project ideas.
2. Draft Development and Feedback: Work on your application drafts and submit them for personalized feedback from WMU’s advisor to refine and strengthen your submission before the national deadline

The Boren Awards are prestigious scholarships and fellowships funded by the National Security Education Program, designed to encourage U.S. students to study less commonly taught languages in regions critical to national security interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Funding Opportunities

Boren Scholarships: Undergraduate students can receive up to $25,000 for study abroad programs.

Boren Fellowships: Graduate students are eligible for up to $30,000 to support language study and research overseas.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Committed to studying a less commonly taught language in a qualifying country.

Service Requirement

Recipients agree to work in the federal government for at least one year following graduation, contributing their language and cultural expertise to roles that enhance national security.

Application Process

1. Campus Review: Submit application materials by the first Monday of the spring semester for campus review.
2. Advising Appointments: Schedule at least two advising sessions with Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland to refine your application before the campus review point.
3. National Deadline: Ensure all materials are submitted before the national deadline in early February.

WMU Success Stories

WMU students have a strong track record with the Boren Awards. For instance, in 2018, Caitlin Wiley received a Boren Scholarship to study Portuguese in Brazil, enhancing her expertise in Latin American studies. 

>>Wiley's Success Story. 

More recently, in 2023, Emily Kostbade, an honors college student and 2019 Medallion Scholar, was awarded a Boren Scholarship to study French through the African Flagship Language Initiative program. 

>>Emily's Success Story. 

These successes highlight the dedication and talent of WMU students in pursuing advanced language study and cultural immersion, contributing to their personal and professional growth.

Contact Information

For guidance and support throughout the application process, please contact: Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland, associate director, external scholarships and faculty development.

The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) program places native English speakers as assistant language teachers in French elementary and secondary schools.

• Duration: 7 months (October to April).
• Responsibilities: Assist in English language classes for 12 hours per week.
• Eligibility:
  • Ages 20-35.
  • Proficiency in French (minimum B1 level).
  • Completed at least three years of higher education.
• Compensation: Monthly stipend of approximately €810.
• Application Period: The application submission deadline for the 2025-2026 cohort is February 28th, 2025.

The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program recruits native English speakers to serve as language and culture assistants in Spanish public schools.

• Duration: 8 months (October to May 31).
• Responsibilities: Assist in English classes for 14-16 hours per week.
• Eligibility:
  • Citizenship from the U.S.
  • Have a conferred BA, BS, AA, or AS degree or be enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in a BA or BS program.
  • Participants in the program should have a basic level of Spanish to use in everyday life in Spain
• Compensation: Monthly stipend ranging from €800 to €1,000, depending on the region.
• Application Period: Typically, January to April for the upcoming academic year.

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program invites native English speakers to work in Japanese schools as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs).

• Duration: 1-year contracts, renewable up to 5 years.
• Responsibilities: Collaborate with Japanese teachers to enhance English language education. Participants are expected to be at work approximately thirty-five hours a week, excluding lunch breaks.
• Eligibility:
  • Bachelor’s degree in any field.
  • Citizenship from a participating country.
• Compensation: Starting annual salary of approximately ¥3,360,000 to ¥3,960,000.
• Application Period: Typically late September to November for positions starting the following year.

The English Program in Korea places native English speakers in Korean public schools to improve English education and facilitate cultural exchange.

• Duration: 1-year contracts, with the possibility of renewal.
• Responsibilities: Teach English alongside Korean co-teachers.
• Eligibility:
  • Bachelor’s degree in any field.
  • Citizenship from designated English-speaking countries.
  • TEFL/TESOL certification preferred.
• Compensation: Monthly salary ranging from ₩2.0 million to ₩2.8 million, depending on qualifications and location.
• Application Period: Applications are accepted year-round, with main intakes in spring and fall.

Fulbright’s US Teaching Assistant (USTA) Program in Austria invites native English speakers to serve as assistant language teachers in Austrian schools, supporting English learners while engaging deeply in local culture. Participants are placed throughout Austria and collaborate with host teachers to enhance language instruction through immersive, classroom-based support.

• Duration: 10 months (September through June).
• Responsibilities: Assist in English-language classes approximately 12–15 hours per weekwhile participating in cultural exchange activities within the school community.
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; bachelor’s degree or current enrollment in final year; strong interpersonal, intercultural, and teaching interest.
• Benefits: Modest monthly stipend for expenses, plus opportunities for language practice, cultural immersion, and professional development as a teaching assistant.
• Application Period: Typically opens in October for placements starting the following academic year (check the Fulbright Austria site for current deadlines).

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for United States undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The Freeman Asia Awards provide need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident studying at the undergraduate level.
• Demonstrated financial need.
• Minimum GPA of 2.8.
• At least one semester remaining at home institution after completion of study abroad.
• Little or no previous experience in the intended study abroad destination.
• Applications endorsed by both a study abroad advisor and a financial aid advisor by the specified deadline.
• Study abroad in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.
• Study abroad with language study.
• Completion of a service project after returning to the United States.

Deadlines:

• October for spring study abroad
• March for summer or fall study abroad

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship supports U.S. undergraduate students with financial need to study or intern abroad, especially in non-traditional destinations. Eligible applicants must be Pell Grant recipients and enrolled in credit-bearing programs in countries with Level 1 or 2 U.S. travel advisories. The award offers up to $5,000, with additional funding for critical need language study. Gilman Scholars also gain Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE) for federal employment, boosting post-graduation career opportunities.

Key Details

• Award amount: Up to $5,000 (+$3,000 for critical languages)
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens, Pell Grant recipients, credit-bearing programs abroad
• Focus: Access, diversity, and global engagement
• Extra benefit: 12-month Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE) for federal jobs

Sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), these scholarships support U.S. and international students pursuing academic study or research in Germany. Programs are open across a wide range of disciplines, with special emphasis on research-focused fields such as mechanical, automotive, and aerospace engineering. DAAD funding typically covers tuition, monthly living expenses, and travel costs—making it one of the most comprehensive study-abroad funding opportunities in Europe.

Key Benefits

• Open to U.S. and international students
• Supports graduate study, research, and internships in Germany
• Strong opportunities in STEM fields, especially engineering
• Funding includes tuition, living stipend, and airfare

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program supports students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing careers in the U.S. Foreign Service. The program provides funding for graduate study in international affairs or related fields, along with two high-impact internships—one on Capitol Hill and one at a U.S. embassy abroad. Rangel Fellows receive mentorship, professional development, and direct pathways into diplomatic service.

Key Benefits

• Full funding for a two-year master’s degree
• Two internships: U.S. Congress & overseas U.S. Embassy
• Mentorship and career support from Foreign Service Officers
• Guaranteed pathway into a career in the U.S. Foreign Service

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship supports outstanding students from diverse backgrounds who aspire to careers in the U.S. Foreign Service. The fellowship funds both the final year of undergraduate study and a two-year graduate program in international affairs or related fields. In addition to full tuition support, fellows receive mentorship, professional development, and two internships—one on Capitol Hill and one at a U.S. embassy overseas.

Key Benefits

• Full funding for undergraduate senior year and graduate school
• Two professional internships: Congress & overseas post
• Mentorship from senior Foreign Service Officers
• Direct pathway into a career in the U.S. Foreign Service