Beyond Translation: Sewanee's Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Demonstrate the Lasting Power of Language Learning
Nov. 6, 2026
From international policy and commerce to education and cultural exchange, Sewanee's Critical Language Scholars continue to put their language skills to work around the world.
Pictured above, second row center: Campbell Stuart, C’20, with her Critical Language Scholarship cohort.
At a time when many universities across the country are reducing foreign language offerings and artificial intelligence is transforming how we communicate and educate, Sewanee alumni are demonstrating why acquiring another language remains as important as ever.
Through the U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, Sewanee students have pursued intensive language study around the world, developing language skills and cultural understanding that foster meaningful connections across borders and open doors to opportunities across the globe. The fully funded program combines rigorous instruction with cultural immersion, allowing participants to make extraordinary progress in just eight weeks.
CLS is also among the nation's most competitive language scholarships. In 2026, approximately 315 students were selected from more than 4,500 applicants nationwide, an acceptance rate of roughly 7%. Against those odds, Sewanee has established an impressive record for an institution of its size, with at least ten scholarships awarded since 2019, for students learning Arabic, Chinese, Hindu, Korean, Russian, and Swahili.
We reconnected with five recent Sewanee alumni to learn more about how those experiences have opened doors to unexpected careers, deepened cultural connections, and shaped how they engage with the world.
Opening Doors Around the World
For Wesley Bailey, C'22, studying Russian through CLS helped lay the foundation for a career in international policy research. Now studying international relations at Johns Hopkins University, Bailey recently completed a six-month internship at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he used Russian-language sources in his research. Beyond language proficiency, Bailey credits the CLS alumni network with helping him discover his professional path.
Campbell Stuart, C'20, who studied Korean in Busan, South Korea, through CLS in 2019, went on to earn a master's degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures from Washington University in St. Louis. She subsequently joined The Korea Society in New York City, where she used Korean approximately 80% of the time while working with artists, researchers, and cultural organizations. After working in international education at the University of Texas, Stuart is now pursuing a law degree. "I didn't know any Korean before CLS," says Stuart. Within three years, she had developed the proficiency to work in a largely Korean-speaking professional environment.
For Jasmine Huang, C'21, who studied Chinese in Suzhou in 2019, CLS offered something deeply personal: the ability to better communicate with family members in China. The experience also expanded her professional opportunities. Today, she works for Yun Hai, a New York-based specialty food business sourcing Taiwanese products, where she regularly uses Chinese. "It's made me a more self-assured global citizen," shares Huang.
Nisrine Hilizah, C'21, who studied Arabic through CLS in Morocco in both 2019 and 2021, credits the experience with shaping her academic and professional journey. After studying away in Jordan, she pursued a fully funded master's degree in Arab Studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Today, she has returned to Morocco, where she teaches English at the American Language Center in Mohammedia and uses Arabic daily to connect with her students and community.
For Peggy Kimbrough C’26, Sewanee's most recent CLS recipient, studying Russian in Daugavpils, Latvia, during summer 2026 provided new perspectives on life after college. A Russian and philosophy graduate, Kimbrough is now pursuing an opportunity to teach English in Moldova while continuing to develop her Russian proficiency.
Why Language Learning Still Matters in the Age of AI
Despite their varied paths, these alumni share a conviction that language learning offers something machine translation cannot fully replicate: meaningful human connection.
Stuart recalls helping a Korean researcher at the University of Texas who was struggling to communicate with staff through translation software. When she began speaking Korean, the visitor expressed immediate relief. "AI and machine translation are great tools to have, but sometimes you just need another human to pick up what you're putting down," says Stuart.
Hilizah echoed that sentiment: "Even when a translation tool can provide the correct words, learning a language helps you understand the person and culture behind them."
For Huang, multilingualism is particularly valuable in an increasingly divided world. She believes the connections fostered through language learning are becoming "ever more precious."
Sewanee's Commitment to Global Citizenship
At Sewanee, language education remains an important component of the liberal arts experience. Through classroom instruction, immersive international programs, and nationally competitive scholarships, Sewanee encourages students to develop the linguistic skills and cultural understanding necessary to engage meaningfully with the world.
The experiences of these alumni demonstrate that investments in language education extend far beyond graduation, contributing to careers in international affairs, commerce, education, and cultural exchange.
Their advice to current Sewanee students considering CLS is very consistent: Apply!
Pictured above, right: Peggy Kimbrough, C’26
"Go for it!" Kimbrough encourages. Hilizah emphasized that applicants need not be perfect candidates, while Bailey urged students to demonstrate their genuine commitment to the language and culture they hope to study.
Stuart, who has served as a CLS application evaluator, encouraged students to be authentic and reflect on what they can contribute to the experience. "If you are even a little bit interested in learning a language offered by CLS, apply!" she says.
Applications for the 2027 Critical Language Scholarship Program are open through November 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central. Sewanee students interested in applying or learning more about the program are encouraged to contact Marcus Murphy, director of the Office of Global Citizenship, at mtmurphy@sewanee.edu, or Dean Bruce at ambruce@sewanee.edu.
Learn more at clscholarship.org.
