Spelman College senior Jasmine Mann has a passion for traveling the world and learning different languages and cultures. Since enrolling at Spelman, she has studied abroad in South Korea, Japan and Cuba. She is currently completing her fourth study abroad session in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) from the U.S. Department of State.
“As a proud CLS Spark alumni, I am thrilled to participate in CLS Russian to further my language studies! As a bilingual Spelmanite, I learned Russian because of my deep interest in international relations, particularly in Asia,” said Mann, a political science major. “Russian is one of two foreign languages I wish to pursue further, with Korean being the other language. I am confident that mastering Russian will be a game-changer in pursuing a public service career where I can utilize my political science degree and language skills.”
Mann was selected from over 5,000 applicants for the CLS program and is currently studying Russian and Kyrgyz, the local language in Bishkek. As part of the program, she is undergoing intensive language instruction and cultural enrichment experiences, including 15 hours a week of Russian language instruction at the American University of Central Asia, daily practice with her designated language partner and immersive learning with her host family, who she will live with for the duration of the eight-week program.
Mann said that living with her host family has helped her further understand the language and taught her cultural nuances she otherwise may have missed. She said that through exciting excursions, she has learned more about the rich intricacies of Kyrgyz history, culture and politics.
“I have been fortunate to participate in several mountain excursions, and those have been some of my favorite experiences. Their nomadic traditions persist in the mountains, and learning and experiencing those cultural aspects firsthand has been very rewarding and integral to expanding my understanding of nomadic culture,” said Mann, who is originally from the D.C. metropolitan area. “Sleeping in yurts, horseback riding, visiting Lake Issyk Kul and Song-Kul and hiking throughout the mountains were very unique and fun experiences.”
Mann said she intends to continue studying the language upon her return to Spelman in August. Her experiences abroad will inevitably enable her to contribute to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security following graduation, as stated by the CLS Program goals and initiatives.
The CLS Program is part of a U.S. government effort to increase the number of Americans studying critical foreign languages by partnering with universities and nonprofits around the globe. For further information about the CLS Program or other exchange programs offered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, visit http://www.clscholarship.org/ and https://studyabroad.state.gov/.