Boren Students UF Students Non-Boren/ FLAS Students
Overview of AFLI
The African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI) is a special initiative of the Boren Awards for International Study offering awardees the opportunity for intensive language study of Akan/Twi, French, Swahili, Wolof, and Zulu, and for cultural immersion by participating in domestic and overseas language programs. Participants may start with no language proficiency through advanced proficiency in Akan/Twi, Swahili, Wolof, and Zulu. French is offered at the advanced level only. The program is hosted at the University of Florida by the Center for African Studies (CAS) and the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC), on behalf of the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Goals and Administration of AFLI
Launched in 2011, AFLI aims to increase the number of Boren Scholars and Fellows engaged in the study of African languages. It is sponsored by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) through the Institute of International Education (IIE). The summer domestic program and fall overseas programs for French in Senegal and Swahili in Tanzania are administered by the University of Florida. Akan/Twi, Wolof, and Zulu students make individual arrangements for their fall overseas study programs.
AFLI Program Requirements and Structure
AFLI Boren students are required to participate in an 8-week full-time domestic summer intensive program offered in-person on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville in June-July. Students will then travel abroad for a full-time overseas immersion fall semester of language and culture study. Participation in the summer and fall programs is required for all Boren awardees. Requests for additional study through the spring semester can be made to Boren during the application process. However, participation in the required summer and fall programs is sufficient to meet the Boren Awards preference for duration abroad. Spring programs are optional.
In addition to full-time language courses, students will have language partners, language conversation tables (in summer), homestays with local families (in fall), and out of classroom / experiential learning activities (such as cooking and cultural visits / excursions) to help ensure that language goals are being met. Details on these additional benefits will be provided at the start of each program in summer and fall.
Information for Prospective AFLI Participants
For more information please click here Boren Students
The University of Florida provides opportunity for non-Boren students to participate in the AFLI summer domestic program. For more information, click appropriate links below.
FLAS/NON-UF Students
UF Students
Contact the AFLI office with questions at afli@africa.ufl.edu
