Photograph: Chinese Flagship Student Will Meredith

Photograph: Chinese Flagship Students on a High-speed Train in China, Winter 2011

Will, a Musical Theater major, is a third-year student in the Flagship program this Fall. Will has integrated his love of Chinese and Theater by learning the traditional lion dance, featured in the grand opening of the Chinese Learning Center in Helm Library.

Sarah, a biology and chemistry double major, is a third-year student in the Flagship program this Fall, and hopes to begin her Capstone Year in China in Spring of 2012.

Students on the 2011 Winter term program in China rode the high-speed rails between several cities and practiced Chinese with their seatmates.

J.P., a Spanish, International Affairs, and Asian Religions and Cultures triple major, is a second-year student in the Flagship program this Fall. In less than one year, he has traveled to China twice on full scholarships through WKU and external funding.

Allie, a mathematics and economics double major, is a second-year student in the Flagship program this Fall. Allie has successfully received 3 nationally competitive scholarships for overseas study in China.

The Chinese Language Flagship Pilot Program at WKU became the 9th such program in the nation in 2009. Sponsored by The Language Flagship, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, our program seeks to bring students from the beginning level of Chinese proficiency to the Superior level during their undergraduate career. Students take Flagship courses every semester in addition to their major or minor coursework, with the intent to reach professional proficiency in the language. Students also participate in many funded intensive Chinese language opportunities in the U.S. and China during the Winter or Summer terms. All students, upon reaching the Advanced-Mid level of proficiency, may apply for participation in a Capstone Year in China. The Capstone Year consists of one semester of direct enrollment at Nanjing University, followed by a 4-6 month professional internship in their field of study in China. Students who complete this requirement and test at the Superior level will receive certification through the National Security Education Program.

Our students…

Are all students in the Honors College at WKU,
Represent 12 degree programs across 5 of WKU’s academic colleges,
With few exceptions, start the program with no prior knowledge of Chinese,
Include 3 graduates of The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,
Travel to China at least once per year,
Engage in Chinese class 5 days a week and spend additional time with tutors, and
Are successfully applying for nationally competitive scholarships

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