The Language Study Abroad Program (LSAP), funded by the Olmsted Foundation and managed by the Language Studies Department, provides 1/C, 2/C and 3/C midshipmen with opportunities to gain first-hand knowledge of foreign people, cultures and rituals through total language immersion. It includes 4- or 6-week university summer sessions, study tours, exchange visits with foreign naval academies, and limited translator-intern duties. LSAP offers programs in all languages taught at USNA and in the following countries:

  • Arabic: Egypt, Jordan
  • Chinese: China
  • French: France, Morocco, Senegal
  • German: Germany
  • Japanese: Japan
  • Russian: Russia
  • Spanish: Spain, Mexico, Chile

The immersion programs' main objective is to broadly educate midshipmen and increase their sensitivity to the languages, interests, viewpoints, and cultures of people around the globe in preparation for their active participation in future joint operations and peace-keeping missions. Candidates for these programs are selected by order of merit from a pool of the best-qualified applicants. An appropriate level of language proficiency in the language of the respective program is required. The MIDS module called "USNA Programs" is used for the application and recommendation process. The department considers these programs a vital extension of the midshipmen's education in foreign languages, cultural literacy and diversity.

Programs are open to 3/c, 2/c, and 1/c Midshipmen who meet overall academic and military selection criteria and who have completed at least two years of a language with an average of 3.0 or better. (For Spanish programs, one semester beyond the second year is required.)

Applications are accepted during the month of October. Selections are announced in January.

For general information on the Language Study Abroad Programs, contact Prof Sylvain Guarda at 410-293-6368 or guarda@usna.edu. For information on specific programs, contact the program manager listed on the program page.