On June 10th, Okayama University held an opening ceremony for the
Online Summer Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, an intensive
Japanese language and culture training program offered to outstanding
American undergraduate and graduate students selected by the US
Department of State. Okayama University has been designated as a host
institution for the program since 2019. In consideration of the ongoing
global pandemic and the fact that students are not able to travel to
Japan, the 8-week program is being offered online for the second year in
a row, from June 15 to August 7. This year, 32 undergraduates and
graduates from all over America are participating in the course.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Okayama University via video link and
was attended by students, American representatives, and Okayama
University personnel. Okayama University President MAKINO Hirofumi gave
the opening remarks, stating, “This year’s CLS program is centered
around the SDGs, and it is my hope that by participating in classes and
cultural activities, you will expand your thinking through exposure to
various sustainable development efforts in the local city of Okayama,
and through the opportunity to meet people with different values and
perspectives.” Afterwards, CLS students were introduced to Okayama
University personal and were asked to give a brief self-introduction.
Student representative Natasha RIEGLE, who is participating in the
program for the second time, spoke about her future aspirations, saying,
“In the future, I hope to work for the American federal government, so I
am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this program again. I
will do my best to learn and grow as I study Japanese language and
culture, learn about SDGs initiatives in Okayama, and interact with
classmates from different backgrounds.”
Apart from online language classes, the CLS online programs also
provides opportunities for students to interact with language partners
from Okayama University. Additionally, under the theme of the SDGs,
students can participate in virtual experiences simulating off-campus
activities, including a virtual tour of the Faculty of Environmental
Science and Technology’s conservation area, an introduction to Yakage
Town and Kagura in an interactive online session with students from
Yakage High School, online activities hosted by Kyoyama Community
Center, and a virtual tea ceremony led by a tea ceremony master.
●CLS program
The CLS program is a US Department of State initiative aimed at
encouraging young Americans to become proficient in one of 15 languages,
including Russian and Chinese, which have been recognized as critical
to America’s national security and economic prosperity.
Domestic acceptance to the program began in 2010, and the program is run by the American Councils for International Education, a US non-profit organization specializing in international education and exchange.
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/eng/news/index_id10392.html
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