Left to right: Navkiran Chima, Mackenzie Holtz, Nancy Pellegrino

Three Miami students were named as semi-finalists for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities.

Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.

Miami had a total of 14 applicants. Semi-finalists will find out if they are selected for the program in April. 

The semi-finalists are:

Navkiran Chima, sophomore, International Studies
Critical Language: Punjabi

Mackenzie Holtz, senior, International Studies and Comparative Religion
Critical Language: Arabic

Nancy Pellegrino, senior, International Studies and Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
Critical Language: Russian

The Critical Language Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by American Councils for International Education. Part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity, CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.