A Program of the 
This blog is written by CLS alumnus Hyunbean Park. Hyunbean is an alumnus of the 2024 CLS Russian Program hosted by American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Hyunbean graduated from the University of North Georgia where he studied International Relations, Security Studies and Russian Studies. Hyunbean is an Army Officer, passionate about sharing the importance of critical language study to U.S. national security and prosperity, particularly for U.S. military members.
When I enlisted in the National Guard at seventeen, one of my main motivations was to step out of my comfort zone and see the world. At that time, I had little awareness of the foreign language opportunities available in the military. However, after enrolling in the ROTC program, I began to explore these opportunities, largely thanks to a mentor who had served as a Foreign Area Officer. He emphasized the significant role that foreign languages had played in his military career and how they are essential for fostering mutual understanding with our strategic partners and gaining different perspectives.
Choosing which language to learn was not easy. The military offered several critical languages, including Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian. As a native Korean speaker, Japanese and Chinese seemed too similar to my native language. I wanted more of a challenge, but Arabic felt too daunting. Ultimately, I chose Russian and pursued it through the Project Global Officer (Project GO) Scholarship, where I spent six weeks during my freshman summer in an intensive Russian language course in the U.S.
However, after completing the course, I decided not to continue with Russian. Living in the U.S., I couldn't see the practical value of learning a foreign language and quickly lost motivation. This turned out to be a mistake that I only realized when I interned at the Office of Defense Cooperation in Tbilisi, Georgia, as a Gilman Scholarship recipient a year later. Upon arriving in Georgia, I was immediately confronted with the prevalence of Russian. Many locals, including Georgian soldiers, preferred to communicate in Russian, which left me struggling due to my limited proficiency. The language barrier hindered my ability to connect with Georgian soldiers.
This experience made me realize that my mentor was right: knowing a foreign language is invaluable in the military. It enables greater mutual understanding and provides access to perspectives from around the world. When I returned from Georgia, I decided to give Russian another try. Fortunately, I was awarded another Project GO Scholarship, this time in Daugavpils, Latvia. This experience was completely different from my initial domestic course. Studying abroad challenged me to use the language outside of the classroom with my host family, language partner, and in everyday interactions around the city.
Upon my return to the U.S., I took the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) for Russian. While the listening and reading portions were challenging, I managed to score well enough to earn extra points toward my military career and receive additional language pay. More importantly, having a permanent record of my language proficiency opened up new opportunities, including the chance to train in Romania and Poland alongside our NATO partners. During these joint training exercises, I found that knowing the Russian language allowed me to connect with a wide range of soldiers. I was able to communicate with Moldovan soldiers in Romania and Lithuanian and Latvian soldiers in Poland, many of whom had limited English proficiency.
Knowing a foreign language is critical for military leaders. It expands our perspectives, makes us more adaptable, and strengthens our resilience through intensive language courses and cultural immersion. During my time as a cadet at a senior military college, my chain of command recognized the value of my language training. They supported my decision to delay certain training dates to participate in the CLS Program in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, understanding how it would enhance my foreign language skills and benefit my future military career.
At the beginning of my CLS Program, I was anxious that I might not be able to communicate effectively due to my limited vocabulary. However, the program's comprehensive classroom sessions, office hours, and conversation partner meetings helped me gradually improve my Russian. I began to speak to my host family all the time in Russian, which led to a deeper understanding and connection. As my skills progressed, I could express myself more confidently and accurately, and our conversations became more meaningful and engaging. The strengthened bond with my host family resulted in unforgettable experiences. One memorable moment was a family trip to their summer home in Issyk Kul, where I met their extended family and immersed myself in the local culture. The program experience gave me immense comfort and confidence as an Army officer stationed in Germany. It not only enhanced my language abilities but also broadened my perspective on the importance of cultural competence in a cross-cultural environment. I was able to apply this newfound understanding to my work, which enabled me to have successful NATO exercises with our partners despite language and cultural differences.
After my experiences in Georgia, Latvia, and Kyrgyzstan, I can confidently say that studying abroad and learning a foreign language have prepared me well for my role as an Army officer. Even a limited proficiency in a foreign language can significantly influence a soldier’s military career and enhance our interactions with allied nations. Every joint training exercise I've participated in has been more fulfilling because of my ability to connect with our partners through language and cultural understanding.
I am committed to serving not only my country but also to influencing my fellow military members, cadets, and veterans to pursue study abroad opportunities and recognize the critical importance of learning a foreign language. In an increasingly globalized world, these skills are not just assets—they are essential.