Welcome to the Cal Poly World Languages and Cultures Department!
Recent WLC Student Achievements
Russian
Zoya will be spending two months in Daugavpils, Latvia, studying through Learn Russian in the European Union — an intensive Russian language program designed to teach the equivalent of one year of Russian in just two months. The program includes 15 hours of weekly language instruction, cultural activities integrating Russian and Latvian traditions, a bi-weekly language exchange partner program, and group workshops.
Upon completing the program and receiving "alumni" status, Zoya will also be eligible for 12 months of non-competitive job placement with the U.S. State Department.
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program (https://clscholarship.org) provides immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study languages deemed critical to U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and global engagement. The program is fully funded by the U.S. State Department and covers room, tuition, international travel, visas, language placement tests, limited healthcare, and includes a stipend.
Each year, the CLS Program receives approximately 5,500 applications for about 500 scholarships. Selection is highly competitive and varies by language and proficiency level.
Cal Poly has had only three previous CLS recipients (in 2007, 2015, and 2018). Zoya is now the fourth!
French
The World Languages and Cultures Department at Cal Poly is proud to celebrate the achievements of four outstanding French students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies and are embarking on exciting new academic and professional journeys.
Anaïs Lohier, a French Minor student, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to attend Yale University, where she will pursue a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics. Anaïs has shown remarkable commitment not only to her scientific studies but also to the French language and culture. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Anaïs as she begins this new chapter at Yale.
In addition, three other French students—Cole Cleminshaw, Melodie Esnaashari, and Catrina Calkins—have been selected to participate in the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) for the 2025–2026 academic year. TAPIF is a highly regarded program that offers individuals in the U.S. the opportunity to work in French public schools as English language assistants. Through this program, Cole, Melodie, and Catrina will not only gain valuable international teaching experience but also deepen their cultural understanding and language proficiency by living and working in France.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication and passion of students in WLC’s French minor program. We applaud Anaïs, Cole, Melodie, and Catrina for their hard work and achievements, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make both abroad and in their future careers.
Félicitations à tous et bon voyage!
Japanese
The World Language and Cultures Department at Cal Poly is proud to celebrate the achievements of eight outstanding Japanese students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies and are embarking on exciting new academic and professional journeys.
Mitchell Vincent Cronin, Alex Munter, Jack Harrison Mount, Abigail Barton, Ashley Fagan, Alejandro Gonzalez-Smith will all be assistant English teachers in Japan through the JET program. The JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program) is a prestigious, government-sponsored initiative that brings native speakers of English and other languages to Japan to work in public schools, boards of education, and local government offices. Established in 1987, the program aims to promote international exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other nations.
Additionally, Nicolai Borst will also be working through the JET Program as Coordinator of International Relations. A coordinator is someone who has strong Japanese language skills, and works in local government offices and help with international exchange programs, translation, and community engagement.
Lastly we have Destin Estrela who will be working for a German Company in Japan. All of these accomplishment reflect the dedication and passion of the WLC students in the Japanese minor program. We applaud these students and look forward to the positive impact they make in the future.
Spanish
Araceli Aronin has been a key member and leader of the Cal Poly Spanish Debate Team for the past three years, and has helped guide the team to multiple wins at the Legados civic debate events. As a team leader and mentor, she has fostered an inclusive space where students develop confidence, cultural fluency, and a deepened understanding of civic dialogue.
A’s dedication extends far beyond the debate stage. She has contributed extensively to community-based projects such as the Latina Testimonios Initiative, where she helped collect and preserve the stories of Latinas on the Central Coast. She also volunteered with the Latino Voter Engagement Project, supporting nonpartisan outreach efforts to increase access to election information and civic participation across five Central Coast regions. In each of these projects, Araceli demonstrated not just responsibility and initiative, but cultural sensitivity and deep respect for the communities she served.
In addition, Araceli has volunteered as a speech coach in the Migrant Education Program, Region 18, where she worked closely with middle school students—many of them hesitant to speak publicly—encouraging confidence and communication in a welcoming environment.
Whether mentoring peers, guiding public events, or uplifting community voices, Araceli exemplifies the values of public service and Learn by Doing. We are proud to celebrate her contributions and her continuing impact on both the Cal Poly community and the wider region.
The World Languages and Cultures Department (WLC), in the College of Liberal Arts, is the most internationally-oriented department at Cal Poly. WLC courses and programs highlight the importance of the study of languages and cultures in a diverse, globalized society. WLC faculty teach courses in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish, as well as General Education cultural studies courses in English. Through WLC classes, activities, and events, students can:
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build their communication skills and intercultural competence;
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expand their job and career opportunities;
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enhance their study abroad and travel experiences;
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make meaningful connections with communities at home and around the world.
The WLC Department offers a B.A. in Spanish in addition to minors in Chinese, French, German, Italian Studies, Japanese, and Spanish. Students with AP credit may have already earned credit toward a language minor.
We hope you’ll embark on the WLC journey with us!
Cal Poly is in tiłhini, the Place of the Full Moon. We gratefully acknowledge, respect, and thank yak tityu tity yak tiłhini, Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region in whose homelands we are guests.
