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The U.S. Department of State has awarded Johnathan Amidi ’27 a 2025  (CLS). Amidi will study Persian in Tajikistan this summer as part of an intensive language and cultural immersion program recognized as one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships for language study in the United States.

The CLS Program is an initiative aimed at expanding the number of Americans proficient in languages critical to global engagement. Each year, thousands of students apply for the scholarship, and only a select group is chosen for this fully funded opportunity to study one of 12 high-need languages abroad.

Amidi, a sophomore history and computer science double major from Saratoga, California, was selected based on his academic achievement, commitment to language learning, and demonstrated potential to contribute to cross-cultural understanding. He will spend eight weeks in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, where he will live with a host family and be expected to communicate exclusively in Persian (Farsi) throughout the program. In addition to intensive daily language instruction, he will participate in cultural activities designed to deepen mutual understanding between the United States and host communities.

“I’m honored to receive the Critical Language Scholarship and excited to deepen my understanding of the Persian language and culture,” said Amidi. “Reconnecting with my ancestral tongue as an Iranian American resonates deeply with me. It will also be incredibly valuable to me as a history major—I’ll be able to engage directly with primary sources in Persian, studying texts in their original form and gaining a more nuanced understanding of the region’s past. This experience will help me grow both intellectually and personally.”

The CLS Program plays a vital role in preparing American students for global careers in diplomacy, education, and international development. Alumni of the program often go on to receive other prestigious fellowships and pursue graduate study or careers in international affairs.

“We are thrilled to see Johnathan recognized with this incredible opportunity,” said Naomi Levy, professor of political science and the director of the Office of Student Fellowships at SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½. “His selection for the CLS reflects not only his academic and personal excellence but also SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½’s deep commitment to global engagement and intercultural learning.”

The Critical Language Scholarship Program is administered by the American Councils for International Education and is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.