State Dept. CLS Program

[poscme]

Did anyone else apply for the CLS program? I was accepted for Arabic, just not sure where yet. It would be cool to meet some people who will going at the same time.

[milkbaba]

I did CLS Arabic in Tangier. Awesome time. State Dept. was generous and though our program director was a psychobitch now at UT-Austin (the workload and grading system she applied was insane) we learned a lot of Arabic. Since each year and each country has a different director, your experience will be different. But the cutural aspect is unambigiously amazing, especially the one week in-country orientation.

[poscme]

I am looking forward to it. I am surprised that there are not more people here who have done/will do CLS. I have been to all of the possible countries except Jordan, so thats the one I am hoping for; but of course I can't choose. I actually had forgotten about this and acquired another grant for Arabic in Yemen, I am now trying to defer it until next year. If I may ask, were you out much money overall at the end of CLS? When they say they cover everything, do they mean it? Thanks.

[Aubstopper]

I applied for the intermediate persian program in tajikistan but i received an email saying that i didn't get it :-/ Apparently 5,400 people applied for only 525 spots, so you guys are the lucky ones. eh...i was really looking forward to it :-(

[observedj5]

Hey,

I also am headed somewhere via State Dept's CLS for Arabic, probably for high beginner or low intermediate. I'm a MA candidate in DC right now...can't wait to go!

[poscme]

Cool, me too. I think April 2nd is when they will announce the country placements. I definitely don't want Egypt as I got invited to be an AP Reader and there would be a scheduling conflict. I am hoping for Jordan, but will be happy wherever I guess.

[sidiosquiere]

Hello,

So, I also received a CLS award, but for Turkish. I was watching the orientation videos, and they mentioned that language instruction is usually only 4 hours a day 5 times a week. That doesn't seem too intensive. I'm hoping that being in Turkey will help with language acquisition. I was just wondering if anyone here knows of anyone who has done the CLS program and what their experience was. Thanks!

[wannabee]

Hello,

So, I also received a CLS award, but for Turkish. I was watching the orientation videos, and they mentioned that language instruction is usually only 4 hours a day 5 times a week. That doesn't seem too intensive. I'm hoping that being in Turkey will help with language acquisition. I was just wondering if anyone here knows of anyone who has done the CLS program and what their experience was. Thanks!

I did the CLS in Amman, Jordan for advanced Arabic in 2009. I have no experience with the program in Turkey, but ours required considerable work outside of class. My language skills definitely improved. Sorry I can't be more specific than that.