Summer language academy enters seventh year
Article By: Staff
This summer marks the seventh year of the University of North Georgia's (̨Íåswag) Federal Service Language Academy (FSLA) — a three-week residential program for high school students that teaches language and culture in an immersive environment.
"FSLA began in 2011, offering three languages to fewer than 100 students. The program has historically drawn kids from all across the state and around the country and we have successfully established ourselves as Georgia's premier language program designed for high school students," said John Wilson, associate vice president of international programs.
This year's sessions will be held June 11-30 and July 9-28.
During the two three-week sessions, students will be immersed in intensive language instruction in both beginner's and advanced study of Arabic, Chinese, Russian, German, Korean, Portuguese, and Japanese.
In addition to language studies, students also participate in a daily fitness program, receive career counseling from federal agency representatives (possible agencies include the CIA, DEA, FBI, State Department, Homeland Security, the Peace Corps and U.S. Armed Forces), and can possibly receive high school credit.
"Learning in a classroom is good, yes, and re-enacting things is good, but experiencing is a totally new level. These students have an opportunity to be immersed in a real-life culture," said Lacie Warren, international program coordinator at ̨Íåswag. "This program offers the kind of global experience that will be invaluable to students in their future careers."
The cost for each summer 2017 session is $1,895. Several scholarship opportunities are available.
̨Íåswag offers 11 foreign language programs including Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish — eight of which are included on the Department of Defense's .
Global opportunities are available to ̨Íåswag students, faculty and staff through a variety of international partnerships, exchanges and study abroad programs. ̨Íåswag also offers specialized global opportunities for students in the Corps of Cadets, including federally funded programs such as Project Global Officer, Chinese Language Flagship and ̨Íåswag's Language Training Center.
Education abroad supports students' career goals
̨Íåswag's education abroad program had students in Belize and Peru this summer, providing language skills to further their career aspirations. 
Sniffen earns study abroad grant
University of North Georgia senior Autumn Sniffen was awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant.
15 cadets studied abroad this spring
Fifteen ̨Íåswag cadets studied abroad this spring, and for the first time, two studied at the Hellenic Army Academy in Athens, Greece.
Arabic debate team competes in Utah
̨Íåswag students competed at the fourth annual U.S. Arabic Debate Championships, defeating the University of Houston and University of Mary Washington combined team.