Tyler Prochazka, a International Affairs and Asian Religions and Cultures double major, is a second-year student in the Flagship program.
Dr. Jianjun He, Assistant Professor of Chinese, leads class discussion.
Sarah, a biology and chemistry double major, is a third-year student in the Flagship program. She is currently completing her Capstone Year in China.
Students rode the high-speed rails between several cities and practiced Chinese with their seatmates during a Winter term program.
J.P., a Spanish, International Affairs, and Asian Religions and Cultures triple major, is a third-year student in the Flagship program. In less than three years, he has traveled to China three times on full scholarships through WKU and external funding.
Allie, a recent Flagship alum, was a mathematics and economics double major. Allie successfully received 4 nationally competitive scholarships for overseas study in China, including a Fulbright Research Grant that she is currently completing 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 18 degree programs across 5 of WKU’s academic colleges,
- With few exceptions, start the program with no prior knowledge of Chinese,
- Include 2 graduates of The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,
- Typically 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
Events & Deadlines
February 15: Priority deadline for Fall 2013 admission to WKU Chinese Flagship Program; Applications still welcome on rolling basis until at capacity
April 1: Internal deadline for Flagship summer funding applications
September 7: 2013 Flagship Orientation
