University of Iowa finance major Maya Anikiej of Elmhurst, Illinois, has been awarded a 2024 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study in Gwanju, South Korea, this summer for an intensive Korean language program. 

The CLS scholarship is a U.S. Department of State program and is intended to help broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages while building relationships between people of the U.S. and other countries.

Anikiej, vice president of Iowa's Korean Conversation Group, explored Seoul while studying abroad in fall 2023. Eager to deepen her language skills, she looks forward to returning to Korea. 

“My speaking and comprehension skills are on two completely different levels, so I hoped an intensive program could help bridge my input/output gap,” said Anikiej. “Additionally, building an international community is important. Especially now that the global environment is so uncertain, it's the job of young Americans to value global exposure even more so than they did in the past to ensure that our future leaders, CEOS, doctors, et cetera are culturally aware.” 

CLS participants are encouraged to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period and apply their critical language skills in their professional careers. Post-graduation, Anikiej hopes to leverage her CLS experience to foster strong business partnerships between South Korea and the U.S.

 Learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.