Seven UMD Students Named 2022 CLS Scholars
Seven University of Maryland students were awarded the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for intensive language study in summer 2022.
Scholars will study for 8 to 10 weeks in their host countries (one recipient will participate virtually), fully immersed in their target languages and cultures. These scholars will receive 20 hours a week of formal language instruction, work with language partners, enjoy cultural excursions and other enriching activities, all designed to promote rapid language gain.
The CLS Program provides opportunities to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study one of 15 critical languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, or Urdu. The CLS Program is developed in partnership with local institutions in countries where these languages are commonly spoken. CLS scholars are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship and apply their critical language skills in their future careers.
To learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship please visit their website. If you are interested in applying to the program or speaking to a UMD advisor, please contact the National Scholarships Office at clsholarship@umd.
Evan Finnessy - Russian
Evan is a rising junior double majoring in Russian and Arabic in the College of Arts and Humanities. He was a member of the College Park Scholars International Studies Program.
Alice Fisher - Persian
Alice is a rising sophomore double majoring in Government and Politics with an International Relations concentration and in Persian Studies in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. She is a member of the Honors Global Communities living-learning program.
Yazan Hasan - Turkish
Yazan is a junior majoring in Environmental Science and Technology in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is also pursuing minors in Geographic Information Systems and Sustainability Studies.
William Horton - Chinese
William is a rising junior double majoring in Government and Politics with an International Relations concentration and in Chinese in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. He is also pursuing a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. He was a member of the College Park Scholars International Studies Program.
Patrick Kelly - Chinese
Patrick just graduated with a Master of Public Policy degree with a specialty in International Security and Economic Policy from the School of Public Policy.
Catherine Nguyen - Indonesian
Catherine just earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences majoring in Government and Politics with an International Relations concentration. Previously she completed the Global Fellows Program and was a member of the Honors Humanities Program.
Josie Urrea - Chinese
Josie is a rising senior double majoring in Public Policy and Chinese in the School of Public Policy. She was also a member of the College Park Scholars International Studies Program.