Hyunbean Park

Hyunbean Park is an alumnus of the 2024 CLS Russian Program at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He holds a degree in International Relations from the University of North Georgia and currently serves as a U.S. Army Officer with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Rose Barracks, Germany. Hyunbean is passionate about promoting critical language study, emphasizing its importance to U.S. national security and global engagement, especially among military personnel.

Why Russian?

When I first entered military service, I was driven by the Army’s motto: “Be All You Can Be.” I chose to study Russian because it serves as a powerful bridge between Europe and Asia—two regions closely connected to my upbringing in South Korea and Germany. The language’s broad geographic reach resonated with my global identity and long-term goals.

Through my military experience, I saw firsthand how language proficiency can strengthen relationships with global partners and support regional stability. The insights I gained as a CLS scholar further solidified my path as an Army Officer stationed in Germany, where understanding local perspectives, intentions, and cultural dynamics is essential to working effectively with NATO allies.

The CLS Program empowered me to become a more valuable asset to the Army. Its intensive, immersive training helped me grow not only as a leader but also deepened my commitment to advancing cooperation and security through language and cultural understanding.

A Favorite Word

My favorite word in Russian is “Держись,” which means “hang in there” or “hold on.” During my Russian language journey, there were many moments when I felt burnt out or discouraged. But whenever I heard this word—especially from my host parents in Latvia and Kyrgyzstan—it reminded me to keep going.

“Держись” became more than just encouragement; it was a reminder to stay grounded in my purpose and remember why I started learning Russian in the first place. It helped me reflect on the incredible experiences and opportunities the language has brought into my life. In moments of doubt, that one word gave me the motivation and confidence to persevere.

Career Goals

As a U.S. Army Officer, my long-term goal is to transition into the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program. This career path will allow me to apply both my foreign language proficiency and cultural awareness to managing military operations and strengthening diplomatic relations with partner nations. My time in the Caucasus, Baltics, and Central Asia has deepened my interest in this role and shown me the strategic importance of regional knowledge and cross-cultural communication.

The CLS Program played a key role in preparing me for this path by giving me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Russian language and connect with local communities in meaningful ways. These experiences reinforced my belief that language is not only a tool, but a bridge to mutual understanding and cooperation.

To continue building on this foundation, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in a Russian-speaking country. Academic and cultural immersion will further prepare me to serve as a FAO by enhancing my ability to foster cooperation, support regional stability, and represent U.S. interests abroad. My ultimate goal is to serve as a connector between cultures—advancing peace, understanding, and collaboration through diplomacy and defense.

CLS’s Impact

After my experiences in Georgia, Latvia, and Kyrgyzstan, I can confidently say that studying abroad and learning a foreign language have significantly prepared me for my role as an Army officer. Even limited proficiency in a foreign language can have a profound impact on a soldier’s career, especially in terms of enhancing interactions with allied nations.

Upon returning to the U.S., I took the Defense Language Proficiency Test for Russian. While the listening and reading portions were challenging, I scored well enough to earn extra points toward my military career and receive additional language pay. This official record of my language proficiency also opened new opportunities, including the chance to train in Romania and Poland alongside our NATO partners.

During these joint training exercises, knowing Russian allowed me to communicate with soldiers from countries like Moldova, Lithuania, and Latvia—many of whom had limited English proficiency. This ability to bridge the language gap not only strengthened my connection with these soldiers but also reinforced the importance of language in building trust and cooperation within multinational military environments.