Rice University sophomore Nathan Chen has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, an elite initiative aimed at promoting the study of languages critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Chen is one of approximately 500 students from American colleges and universities chosen from a pool of more than 5,000 applicants.
“I opened up the acceptance email letter right before a midterm exam,” said Chen, who is studying Korean in Busan, South Korea, as part of the program. “I was so shocked and remember calling both my O-Week mom and my actual mom right away to share the news.”
The CLS Program is a cornerstone of the U.S. government’s effort to increase the number of Americans proficient in key foreign languages. Participants in the program engage in intensive language instruction and cultural immersion over eight to 10 weeks, either overseas or virtually. Languages offered include Arabic, Azerbaijani, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish and Urdu.
“It’s been exactly a month and I already feel like I’ve gained a lifetime amount of knowledge,” Chen said. “I’m attending intensive classes with teachers who only speak Korean, exploring Busan with language partners and really doing something different and fun every day. CLS gives students a generous stipend too, so I’ve also been eating the most delicious Korean meals.”
For Chen, the experience goes beyond language learning.
“This summer feels like a period of growth,” he said. “Speaking, living and breathing in a foreign country makes you think about things you normally wouldn’t. Like how can South Korea, a country that so many people admire, have the world’s lowest birth rate? Studying abroad also refreshes your perspective on your home. You notice differences in households, friendships, relationships and everyday activities.”
Chen’s interest in Korean began in fifth grade when his school hosted a Korean foreign exchange student. Somehow, he said, the two became good friends despite not speaking a common language.
“As I’ve gotten older and studied more Korean, I’ve started to notice more of how languages are intertwined with cultures and daily living,” Chen said. “One of my favorite quotes is: ‘The limits of my language mean the limits of my world’ (Wittgenstein). And as a polyglot, this is so true. Beliefs and values are rooted in the Korean language: honorifics for the elderly, mannerisms for strangers and even asking if one is at peace, ‘Annyeonghaseyo?,’ in place of ‘Hello.’”
Rice Korean lecturer Jaesu Choi, who has played a significant role in Chen’s journey, expressed pride in his student’s achievement.
“Guiding students to maximize their potential during their four years at Rice is an essential mission for us as faculty,” Choi said. “Nathan’s selection for the Critical Language Scholarship is a shining example of our Korean faculty’s efforts, and we are very grateful to him.”
Choi highlighted the increasing demand for Korean language skills in North America, reflecting its significance in national security and economic partnerships.
“The term ‘critical language’ refers to those deemed essential for national security and economic prosperity by the U.S. State Department, where the demand for proficient speakers exceeds supply,” Choi said. “Certainly, the demand for Korean in North America is rapidly increasing. As one of the key security partners of the U.S., Korea and its language are a significant focus in defense language programs.”
Rice is responding to this growing demand by expanding its Korean language offerings. Starting this fall, the Department of Transnational Asian Studies will offer a Korean undergraduate major concentration in addition to Chinese and Japanese. Advanced senior-level courses that combine content with language will cover topics such as language and social issues. The Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication also runs intensive programs called Rice in Country, which include Korean and other languages.
Reflecting on his future, Chen remains open to various career paths. He encouraged other students to take advantage of opportunities like the CLS Program, even if they seem unrelated to their primary field of study.
“I was set on going to med school coming into Rice,” Chen said. “I still am now, but I’m also interested in foreign service work. The world is so big and there’s so much to learn about and explore, not as a student or future employee but as a human being.”
Choi echoed this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for continuing to support Rice students in their pursuit of language studies.
“Many students in the program have received various scholarships and funding for study/research opportunities in Korea,” Choi said. “These achievements are primarily due to the motivated Rice students who seek to advance their careers through Korean, while we simply introduce and encourage them to seize these opportunities.”
