The Education Abroad Office is excited to share that the application is now open for the 2026 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program! Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this unique opportunity invites U.S. students across the country to spend eight weeks abroad exploring new cultures and languages – while earning academic credit and making unforgettable memories.

The scholarship includes round-trip travel expenses, housing, coursework, excursions, and a small stipend for your daily expenses. Academic credit is granted by Bryn Mawr College, and you can choose from nine different languages and four different proficiency levels. Interested in learning more? Check out the full list here: https://clscholarship.org/languages.

No matter your major – whether you're studying business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts, or humanities – everyone is encouraged to apply. We'd love to help you discover which program might be right for you.

If you have any questions or want to chat about the application process, feel free to join our info session virtually on Wednesday, October 28 from 3 to 4 PM. We're here to support you every step of the way!

If you have any questions, please contact us at educationabroad@umbc.edu.