DENTON (UNT), Texas — An undergraduate Honors College student at the University of North Texas received a highly competitive scholarship, allowing her to study Arabic through an intensive language program in Oman.

Chloe Moubarak, a sophomore in the Honors College majoring in business computer information systems, was one of 500 American college students chosen to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program. Over 5,000 individuals apply to the program every year in hopes of studying abroad or virtually.

“One of my professors had a student who did the program, and she encouraged me to apply,” Moubarak said. “It’s very prestigious, so it was exciting to be accepted.”

The CLS Program aims to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness by equipping more Americans with foreign language skills. Participants spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of several languages deemed “critical,” or high-demand, by the Department of State. The list of critical languages includes Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili and Urdu, among others.

After being granted her request to be placed in Oman, Moubarak studied Arabic in the city of Nizwa at a local institution. The program’s accelerated courses were held daily from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. After a break for lunch, Moubarak and her cohort participated in meetings, conversation partner groups and study time.

Despite the intense workload, time zone differences and other challenges, Moubarak was able to experience a taste of life in Oman. In addition to language instruction, the CLS Program includes immersive opportunities for cultural enrichment and community-building.

“There were clubs and activities after class — you could go hiking, play soccer or join the cooking club,” she said.

Scholars who participate in the CLS Program are expected to continue studying their chosen language after returning to the U.S. Another goal is for participants to use their language skills in their future studies or careers.

Moubarak said the intensity of the CLS Program improved her time management and study skills. It also advanced her goal of minoring in Arabic, a language she had already spoken for quite some time.

“I’m Lebanese, and I travel to Lebanon a few months every year. I already spoke a decent amount, but the program offered the equivalent of two college courses in Arabic,” Moubarak said. “It helped me reach my minor so much faster.”