Bard College student Melonie Bisset ’24.
Melonie Bisset ’24, a senior at Bard College majoring in film and electronic arts, has been awarded the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for the summer session of 2024. This highly selective program, sponsored by the US Department of State, grants recipients the opportunity to undergo intensive language training and immersive cultural experiences abroad, aimed at enhancing their language proficiency and intercultural competence. Every summer, undergraduate and graduate students from various US institutions spend 8 to 10 weeks at specialized language institutes, focusing on one of 13 languages crucial to US national interests, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Turkish.
In this upcoming session, Bisset will be studying Portuguese at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The CLS Program in Rio de Janeiro offers a comprehensive language learning curriculum equivalent to a full academic year of university-level Portuguese studies condensed into an eight-week period. During her stay, Bisset will reside with a local host family, sharing daily breakfasts and weekends with them to immerse herself in the Brazilian way of life. These host families play a pivotal role in aiding students’ integration into the local culture, expanding their social networks, and providing opportunities to practice Portuguese in informal settings. Additionally, students engage with language partners on a regular basis to enhance their conversational skills and discover the city through mutually planned activities aligned with their shared interests.
Driven by her passion for multiculturalism, Bisset finds her true identity at the crossroads of diverse cultures, making Brazilian culture particularly appealing to her due to its rich blend of traditions. Beyond her interests in music and dance, she is drawn to Brazilian filmmakers who explore themes such as ecocinema, poverty, and multiculturalism. Ultimately, her vision is to establish a nonprofit organization in the US that fosters cross-cultural exchange and artistic expression through language.
Expressing her gratitude for being selected for the CLS Program, Bisset emphasizes her eagerness to embark on this linguistic and cultural journey in Rio de Janeiro. With a background encompassing fluency in English, Mandarin, and Spanish, along with experience as a TESOL instructor, filmmaker, tango dancer, and storyteller, she aspires to bridge cultural divides through the arts and languages. Bisset envisions a future where her organization fulfills these aspirations, furthering intercultural understanding on a broader scale. She anticipates that this immersive experience in Brazil will leave a profound impact on both her personal growth and professional trajectory.
The CLS Program stands as a cornerstone of the US government’s initiatives to enhance Americans’ proficiency in critical languages essential for global interactions. By equipping scholars with linguistic and cultural competencies, the program aims to bolster US economic competitiveness and national security. Each year, around 500 students from US academic institutions participate in the CLS Program, focusing on languages vital for US diplomacy and international relations.
These “critical” languages, often underrepresented in US educational curricula, play a pivotal role in shaping America’s global engagement. Through programs like CLS, US students are equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce, enhancing national competitiveness and security. As cultural ambassadors, CLS scholars embody the diversity of the United States, forging enduring connections with individuals in their host countries.
For more details on the Critical Language Scholarship and other exchange programs offered by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, please visit the official website.
Post Date: 04-02-2024