Project GO
We believe every officer should and can become a globally ready top officer by learning a language. Therefore, the University of Florida (UF) created a Project Global Officer (Project GO) program to help obtain language and communication skills. Powered with a grant from the Department of Defense, this program is open to cadets and midshipmen enrolled at colleges and universities. When joining a UF cohort, you will reach a higher level of language level acquisition then from a full year of study. Project GO is a fully funded Professional Development Training, which makes you eligible for career promotions and other special duty assignments. Your global journey with UF begins with an application on the Project GO website.
The UF Project GO program provides scholarships to ROTC students to attend a fully funded 8-week intensive summer language program in Turkish or Swahili. The 2024 summer program will take place at the University of Florida campus. The program offers beginning Swahili and beginning and intermediate Turkish. The program includes visits to prominent communities and cultural centers in Florida; past excursions have included visits to Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
The Project GO at UF Swahili and Turkish tracks offer the linguistic, social, and regional exposure and expertise necessary to recognize, navigate, and effect changes in specific regions of the world. Project GO students develop an in-depth understanding of African or Turkish cultures. The program mission is P.R.O.: PREPARE effective curriculum, RECRUIT able students, and OBTAIN desired outcomes.
SWAHILI AS A STRATEGIC AND CULTURAL LANGUAGE
America has had a strong bilateral relationship with the countries of East Africa due to its strategic position on the continent, and ongoing wide-ranging cooperation on economic, regional and global security issues. Knowledge of the Swahili language, the Lingua Franca of East and Central Africa, and the cultures it represents is the key into understanding and strengthening this relationship. Students on the Swahili Track will gain the essential exposure, knowledge and competence in relating to the Swahili speaking people of East Africa.
TURKISH AS A STRATEGIC AND CULTURAL LANGUAGE
Turkey is a traditionally important country connecting Europe and the United States to Central Asia and the Middle East. Likewise, it serves NATO as an active founding member and hosts US Army service branches strategically stationed in the Incirlik Air Base and the Izmir Air Station. Indeed, because of the ongoing global refugee crisis and regional unrest in the Middle East with roots in Afghanistan and Syria, US-Turkish relationship has gained an even greater significance and critical status in transnational, military, and cultural affairs.
