Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute

Home
United States
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute

Directions Website Contact the university

The ASU Critical Languages Institute offers summer intensive language courses & summer study abroad.

10/15/2026

It’s finally cooling down outside, and we are celebrating the season with a timeless regional favorite. 🍂🥧

Say hello to Krompiruša, a traditional Bosnian savory potato pie. If you wander into a neighborhood bakery in Sarajevo as the crisp autumn air hits, this is exactly what you'll find fresh out of the oven. Made with thinly rolled pastry layers and perfectly spiced cubes of potatoes and onions, it’s a simple, comforting staple that has brought people together for generations.

Want to explore the vibrant cultures, histories, and traditions behind authentic recipes from Eastern Europe and Eurasia? 🌍✨

Through the Melikian Center’s Critical Languages Institute (CLI) at Arizona State University, you can fast-track your path to global citizenship! CLI offers intensive summer training in critical, less-commonly taught languages of the region, INCLUDING Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS). It’s an incredible way to truly connect with the people, history, and rich heritage of the Balkans and beyond.

What’s your favorite way to welcome the crisper weather? Let us know below! 👇

10/13/2026

"What exactly is a critical language?" 🤔

Simply put, it’s a language that is highly sought after in global sectors like defense, intelligence, international development, and business, but underrepresented among English speakers. Learning one doesn't just make you bilingual; it makes you a high-value global asset. 🌍

Discover how CLI can support your professional and global career goals!

10/06/2026

Waiting for something that will absolutely never happen? 🦞⛰️☁️🐖

In English, we say "when pigs fly" or "once in a blue moon." But the Russian language has a much more whimsical, terrain-defying perspective: "Kogda rak na gore svistnet" (Когда рак на горе свистнет) literally, "when a lobster whistles on a mountain." 🇷🇺

Humorous and completely absurd, this imagery perfectly captures the absolute impossibility of an event ever occurring. Since these aquatic crustaceans belong at the bottom of a body of water and entirely lack the anatomy required to whistle, waiting for one to hike up a mountain and pipe a tune is the ultimate exercise in waiting forever.

10/01/2026

• 🎉 The wait is officially OVER!!!!!!
Applications for the Critical Languages Institute are now OPEN! 🚀

Don’t miss your chance to dive into a new language and culture this coming summer. Visit https://melikian.asu.edu/cli to apply today!! 🌟✈️

Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian & East European Studies

09/29/2026

TWO DAYS TO GO!!! 🌟🎉🗓️

Applications for ASU’s Critical Languages Institute open in just 3 days! Whether you want to learn a new language or advance your skills, CLI offers 11 different languages for a flat fee of $2,000, PLUS scholarships are available!

Don't miss out on your summer 2027 plans. 🛫

Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian & East European Studies

20h

09/28/2026

It’s that time of year again! 🌟

Applications for ASU’s Critical Languages Institute open in just 3 days! Whether you want to learn a new language or advance your skills, CLI offers 11 different languages for a flat fee of $2,000 PLUS scholarships are available!

Don't miss out on your summer 2027 plans.

09/25/2026

Looking for a profound masterpiece that explores the hidden, spiritual dimensions of human existence? 🌲✨

Set against the turbulent backdrop of Europe before and during World War II, this monumental novel follows Stefan Viziru on a gripping spiritual quest. As he navigates the chaos of air raids and political shifts from Bucharest to Paris, he searches for a transcendent, timeless reality. Written by renowned Romanian author and philosopher of religion Mircea Eliade, the story beautifully weaves together folklore, deep philosophical questions, and historical drama into a brilliant, sweeping chronicle of human destiny, love, and the enduring quest for meaning.

This is a brilliant, essential piece of literature from Romania that everyone should read.

09/17/2026

When a Russian speaker mentions their "фамилия" (familiya), they aren't talking about their family. They are just telling you their last name. 🇷🇺🤯

Although it sounds almost identical to the English word, "family" is "семья" (semya). It is a quick reminder that shared phonetics rarely guarantee shared definitions, and mastering a language means navigating these exact cultural nuances.

09/15/2026

You’ll only ever see this in Poland… 🏰✨

Welcome to the stunning St. Kinga's Chapel inside the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kraków, a breathtaking underground cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt. Located over 100 meters below the surface, this historical and artistic marvel symbolizes the deep-rooted heritage and incredible craftsmanship of the region.

Want to experience the rich culture, history, and languages of Central and Eastern Europe firsthand? Explore our language immersion programs and start your next global adventure! 🌐✈️

09/02/2026

September 2nd in Arizona means it is still absolutely roasting outside. 🌵☀️

When the desert heat hits like this, communities across Eurasia have relied on the exact same trick for generations to stay cool: Okroshka. ✨

This traditional Slavic cold soup combines a crisp blend of diced cucumbers, radishes, and fresh herbs swirled into a chilled, refreshing kefir or yogurt base. Light, tangy, and served completely ice-cold, it is a timeless cultural staple built specifically to beat the summer heatwave without ever turning on a stove. 🥣🌿

Address

ASU Melikian Center Durham Hall #250 851 S Cady Mall MC 4202 Tempe AZ 85287
Tempe, AZ
85287

Website

http://cli.asu.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute:

Want your university to be the top-listed university in Tempe?