Students gain skills in language, culture

Students from across the country are gaining extensive language and cultural training in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian through Summer Language Institutes (SLI) at the University of North Georgia (UNG) this summer, running from June 8-July 26.

By successfully completing this seven-week summer session, SLI participants earn eight academic credit hours to fulfill the 1001-1002 foreign language requirements for most bachelor’s degrees at UNG.

"My experience in SLI is why I did a minor in Arabic. It introduced me not only to the language, but by spending so much time with it, we also got the culture, the food, the music, and the history that made me really fall in love with that part of the world," Nebel said. "So, getting to come back and teach something I've become so passionate about is really enjoyable."

Students from outside UNG who are participating are here through Project Global Officer (GO) scholarships.

Project GO is an initiative sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and administered by the Institute of International Education and National Security Education Office that provides scholarship funds to ROTC cadets who wish to study a critical language during their college career.

Kylie Dawley, a rising junior cadet at Michigan Technological University, learned Portuguese last summer at San Diego State University through Project GO and is learning Arabic at UNG. A member of Michigan Tech's Army ROTC 1st Arctic Battalion, Dawley appreciates the commitment of those running her SLI.

"It's a really good resource for learning a language and sticking with it. They make it very hard to not stick with it," Dawley said. "As long as you have the desire to learn the language, then you're not going to fall off skill-wise."

Collin Knox, a rising junior who is transferring from New Mexico Military Institute into UNG to pursue a degree in strategic and security studies, is grateful to be part of the Korean SLI before becoming a full-time UNG student this fall.

"The way it's fast-tracked is very alluring. You're not having to start off on the back foot. I'm a transfer student. So for people who are going into a field that requires a certain amount of credits in language, this is really attractive because it will help you get those credits pretty quickly," Knox said.

Aidan Sturgeon, a rising senior cadet at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, is appreciative of the attentiveness of his professor and tutors in the Korean SLI.

"The classes have been pretty rigorous, but I think that it's been fun and engaging. I feel like I've been able to grasp the material, especially with the help of my professor and my tutors," Sturgeon said. "They've been very good at picking up parts that I might be struggling with and also reinforcing the good habits that I have. Sometimes I feel too confident, but they're not afraid to let me know that I need to take things slower."

Jinny Kim, the faculty member teaching the Korean SLI, said students respond well to the SLI approach.

"Participants benefit significantly from immersive language classes, engaging cultural workshops and meaningful interactions within the local Korean community, all of which deepen their understanding of Korean society," Kim said.

Justice McGinnis, a UNG freshman cadet from Rome, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science and minors in Russian and international affairs, has enjoyed rising to the challenge of being in the Russian SLI.

"For those who want to start a language but never managed to get off the ground with it, you will get to a point where you can sort of self-sufficiently teach yourself," McGinnis said. "And for those pursuing a strategic language for something like the armed forces or a three-letter government agency, SLI will prepare you very well for the Oral Proficiency Interview."

Kayla Fox, a rising sophomore at Louisiana Tech University, is also in the Russian SLI.

"My favorite part of SLI is meeting all the people who are learning target languages. Although we come from all over the country with completely different backgrounds, I have been able to make great friendships," Fox said.

Nadia Williams, an incoming UNG freshman pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals who is in the Chinese SLI, also likes the communal aspect.

"We're all in the same boat, and some people understand aspects of Chinese that I don't, and vice versa," Williams said. "So it's nice to be able to teach and learn from one another."

Bobby Trevino, a student in the Japanese SLI, said it's been a wonderful experience so far.

"A lot of us don't know what to do with ourselves during the three to four months we have off for summer breaks. It's exciting at first, but that excitement quickly gives into boredom when we realize the monotony of doing nothing," Trevino said. "SLI is a fantastic way to spend just under two months, and you get out of it what you put in. If you have any interest whatsoever in a foreign culture, then it doesn't hurt to send in an application. You will learn more about the people and culture of whatever language you choose to study than you could imagine, and you'll get to do it with great people."