March 16, 2021

Congratulations to CLS alternate, Afrah Howlader (BS Public Health '21, Honors)! The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Participants spend 8-10 weeks abroad over the summer, undertaking intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences. Applicants designated as alternates are considered waitlisted and may ultimately receive the award if funding becomes available.

Afrah Howlader (BS Public Health '21, Honors)
Critical Language Scholarship alternate for Bangla
Afrah Howlader is a senior public health student with minors in global studies and sociology. After graduation, Afrah would like to work in a governmental capacity and use evidence-based research to improve disparate health outcomes and empower marginalized communities. She is currently a Drexel Community Scholar serving at HIAS Pennsylvania, a Senior Class Representative in the Undergraduate Student Government Association, and a member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. In 2018, she was a Dornsife Global Development Scholar and worked in Eswatini.

*The announcement does not include an additional alternate who declined to be publicized at this time.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program offers intensive summer language institutes in 15 critical foreign languages. CLS is 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. The selection process is administered by American Councils for International Education with awards approved by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship Program.