The ROTC Flagship Summer Language Program is an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and administered by the Institute of International Education. JMU FSLP offers full scholarships to ROTC students for Swahili and cultural learning in Tanzania and Kenya.
Institution: James Madison University
Program Location: Tanzania and Kenya, East Africa
Language: Swahili
Dates of Program: 20 May 2027 – 15 July 2027
Program Type: Overseas
Program Language Level(s): Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4
|
Contact Hours: |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
|
Credits offered |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
Number of Classroom Hours per week |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
Number of Self-Study/Homework Hours per week |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
Number of Hours with a Language Partner per week |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Number of Hours of Other Activities per week |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
Program Description:
JMU’s Flagship Summer Language Program - Swahili is an 8-week (May 20 - July 15, 2027), 10-credit hour (6 credits Swahili, 4 credits Human-Environment Interactions (HEI)) travel-study program in Tanzania and Kenya. For any level of Swahili student, this program will expand your ability to understand, speak, read, and write Swahili while also developing crucial cultural and geographical expertise about East Africa. This is a full scholarship opportunity for ROTC students from any accredited university or college in the United States.
- The program will highlight the geographic and cultural variety of East Africa, featuring extensive travel in southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Participants will experience field studies in many settings including urban, rural, coastal, pastoral, savanna, and mountain regions. Lodging includes local inns, bungalows, tents, and multiple home stay visits with local families.
- Earn 6 credits of Swahili and 4 credits of Human-Environment Interactions
- Learn about the diversity of cultures and flora/fauna of East Africa, dimensions of rural and urban life, environmental issues, education systems, and more!
- Applications are open Oct. 21, 2026 – Jan. 19, 2027
The FSLP scholarship provides funding for:
- Tuition and fees
- Room and Board
- Travel to and from East Africa
- All travel and admissions throughout program
- All books and materials
- Insurance
- Visa
The following costs are not included in scholarship funding: personal spending money, personal travel, acquisition of passport, medications, and expenses for dependents.
Please Note: ROTC FSLP participants planning to travel abroad MUST have a valid U.S. passport in their possession no later than 90 days before anticipated travel date.
Application Deadline: January 19, 2027
How to Apply: https://apply.iie.org/rotc-flagship
Additional Application Requirements:
- Semi-finalists must complete interviews via Zoom
- If accepted to the program, applicants must register in several JMU systems, alert their home study abroad office of plans to travel, and pay a $500 deposit that will be returned upon successful completion of the program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Name: Carol Lena Miller
Email Address: millercl@jmu.edu
Phone: 540-568-3975
