Two GCSU students to study Mandarin Chinese this summer

Senior nursing major Ama Kpoyizoun and junior political science major Matthew Malena from Georgia College & State University were selected from over 5,000 students across America to each receive a U.S. Department of States’ Critical Language Scholarship.

Kpoyizoun will travel to Taiwan to study Mandarin Chinese. Her program takes place June 17-Aug. 15. Malena will also study Mandarin Chinese through the CLS online program June 9 – Aug. 5.  

This scholarship is extremely competitive. Last summer, both students earned spots in CLS Spark intensive language classes to get the language credits needed to apply for this year’s CLS. 

Kpoyizoun and Malena were selected because of their commitment to learning another language and plans to apply their language skills to their future academic or professional pursuits.

CLS scholars are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship and apply their critical language skills in their future careers. Since Kpoyizoun and Malena were CLS Spark participants, they’re eligible for U.S. Government employment up to summer 2027.

The CLS program is part of a larger U.S. Government effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages which are critical to our national security, economic prosperity and engagement with individuals worldwide.

 American Councils for International Education administers the CLS Program.

“I am so impressed by our students’ desire to seek out a language that GCSU doesn’t offer and pursue the challenge of an intensive language experience,” said Anna Whiteside, assistant director, John E. Sallstrom Honors College and coordinator, National Scholarships Office. “They will come out of their summers not only with greater skills in Chinese, but also with enhanced adaptability and intercultural competence — all skills that will make them more competitive and career-ready in an increasingly globalized workforce.”

“I'm looking forward to learning the language through the immersive intensive language CLS promises,” Kpoyizoun said. “It's one thing to learn through the internet and books, but I'm a physical learner so I prefer being taught by teachers and the local environment too.” 

"I really can’t wait to study a language I otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to learn," Malena said.