Alexandra Salman, Rowan College of South Jersey Critical Language Scholarship advisor, recently hosted a webinar for students with disabilities interested in studying abroad.
Rowan College of South Jersey–Cumberland (RCSJ) students interested in learning a new language and studying abroad, recently participated in a webinar hosted by Alexandra Salman, case manager, Center for Wellness and Support, RCSJ.
Salman provided information to students in the Adult Center for Transition (ACT) program and Disability Support Services students about the Critical Language Scholarship, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and other funding opportunities available for those who choose to study internationally.
The webinar was titled “Study Abroad as a Community College Student with a Disability."
According to clscholarship.org, “The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program partners with universities and nonprofits around the globe to provide cohorts of U.S. students an opportunity to study the language and culture in a country/location where the target language is commonly spoken."
CLS is funded by the U.S. Department of State and is considered to be a prestigious language study program.
“It specializes in languages that aren't commonly taught at colleges or universities in the United States," said Salman, CLS advisor, RCSJ. Some of the languages students can learn include Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Swahili.
Salman said the program will benefit prospective students in myriad ways. “There's a huge alumni network, including an alumni society. It's great for students who are interested in working in government affairs."
“Probably the greatest and most obvious way is their language skills … will increase exponentially," she continued. “The instruction is very intensive and immersive from day one."
One of the main components of Salman's webinar was tailoring information about the CLS Spark program to students with disabilities. Salman received assistance from the National Clearing House on Disability and Exchange (NCDE). The goal of this organization is to empower people with disabilities to “participate in the transformative experience of international exchange."
“I have had the honor of being selected as an extern for the [NCDE]," Salman said. “As a former exchange student myself, this clearing house … really granted us the ability and the resources to be able to spread knowledge and information about study abroad for all students, especially students with disabilities."
Salman is intimately familiar with CLS. She was selected to participate in the online version of the program during the pandemic. The 2020 RCSJ graduate, who is pursuing her bachelor's degree in social science, realized her dream of studying abroad in 2024 when she studied in Bilbao, Spain as a Gilman Scholarship recipient.
“They really had a lot of hands-on experience for us," Salman said about the program. “I had the privilege of living with a host mom, so I really got to experience the daily life and cultural immersion. The experience really sticks with me."
Salman is grateful for the opportunity to share her experiences with prospective students. Additionally, as the CLS advisor, she is excited to support students and help them fulfill their dreams of studying abroad, especially those who are underserved.
“Nowadays, students with disabilities have [fewer] barriers to study abroad and they should be aware that these programs exist, “Salman said. “They are free to apply to, and they are always looking for more community college students because they are underrepresented."
For information about the Critical Language Scholarship, the Gilman Scholarship and other study abroad funding opportunities for Rowan College of South Jersey students, contact Alexandra Salman at [email protected] or 856-200-4761.
