Foreign Language Residence Program
For more than 50 years, the Foreign Language Residence Program (FLRP) has helped students immerse themselves in world languages and culture, increasing their fluency and preparing them to study abroad while earning one credit hour per semester.
You’ll enjoy interacting with native speakers of French, Japanese, Spanish and Tagalog at dinners, weekly language nights and cultural events. Through these interactions, you’ll develop bonds with your fellow FLRPies and become part of our large family. Join us to improve your language skills and become a more competitive job candidate while building lifelong friendships.
Cultural Events
Each year, we travel to Oregon, Illinois, for a language retreat at NIU’s scenic Stronghold. You’ll benefit from leadership training, exposure to potential research topics, cultural investigation and more.
We also have an annual international dinner where the language groups perform skits, songs and other entertainment for parents, faculty and staff. You’ll also go on two or three field trips each semester to learn about different cultures.
Current Native Speakers
Isiah Bryant A. Camarao, a sophomore majoring in biological sciences, has a diverse and global background. Born in the Philippines, he pursued his secondary education in Qatar, graduating from the Philippine School Doha Qatar.
Bryant’s interests include learning multiple foreign languages (Spanish, Korean, French, Arabic, various Philippine dialects), as well as music, movies, TV shows, anime, K-pop, K-drama, sports, arts, science, research, and meeting new people. He anticipates an exciting and adventurous future where his language proficiency will be invaluable.
Miriam Salvador is currently pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship at NIU. Although she has always lived in Illinois, her roots trace back to Hidalgo, Mexico, which she has visited twice. In her free time, she enjoys nature and often goes on runs to appreciate the outdoors.
Thalila Sisou, an anthropology major, is currently assistant to the coordinator of FLRP. Last year, she participated in FLRP with the Tagalog table. She is also a FLAS fellow and a Fulbright-Hays scholar after an immersive journey to the Philippines.
She looks forward to continuing her educational journey and helping FLRP participants have an enjoyable and productive experience in a close-knit, family-like environment.
Aaron E. Lack is from Switzerland and a sophomore majoring in Business Management. Before transferring to NIU, he studied International Business Management across France, Germany and Switzerland and spent a year as a high school student in Illinois.
Growing up in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, Aaron learned English and French in school and through international experiences. He also has family ties to Brazil, giving him conversant Portuguese. As a native French speaker in FLRP, he enjoys sharing cultural insights from Switzerland and his global experiences.
Beyond academics, Aaron served as an Officer in the Swiss Army and worked professionally in product management and accounting. He hopes to develop strong leadership skills in NIU’s Management program and become a capable leader.
Sho Takami is pursuing a double major in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. Born in Kawasaki, Japan, he left after the March 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. He still has family there, including his father and paternal grandparents.
He has held leadership positions in the NIU Math Club, Actuarial Club and CLAS Student Advisory Council. By joining FLRP as a native speaker, he hopes to enhance his leadership skills and reconnect with Japanese culture.
Mitsuki Furuta is pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in Sport Management. Born in Fukushima, Japan, he has been studying in the U.S. since 2021. He is passionate about baseball, both as a player and a fan, and aspires to work in the baseball industry in the future.
He also enjoys cooking and photography, reflecting his broad interests beyond academics.
Support Our Program
Ongoing financial support funds central components that have become hallmarks of FLRP:
- Scholarships
- Special events
- Native speakers
- Weekday dinners
- Cultural excursions
- Study abroad
"This is the best language program NIU has to offer. If you truly want to improve your conversation skills in one (or more) of the offered languages, this is the best way to do it. FLRP is also a great way to learn about world cultures, whether that be from going on field trips, from talking to the native speakers who come from another country, or from talking to other students about their travel experiences."by Emily Williams
"I joined FLRP because I wanted to practice my Spanish. Throughout high school, I learned about how to formulate sentences in Spanish, but I never had the opportunity to speak it and become proficient in communicating. FLRP gave me the chance to do this. I loved the people, the daily activities, and the trips that deepened my interests in learning languages. If you're interested in applying the skills that you already have (or if you're interested in learning a language for the first time), FLRP is the right place for you."by Devonte Fuller
"I started FLRP for the practice, I study French and without it, I wouldn’t have another place to practice my language. We do activities, discussions, games, sometimes we even sing to make the language starting to flow. But it isn’t all is about the language; I would choose it again for the friends I have made thanks to it. Transferring from another college I did not know anybody at NIU. Since we share a lot of time in this course, it was easier to make friendships that I know will last."by Carlos Avina Soto
Join Us
Apply OnlineContact Us
Foreign Language Residence Program
Concepcion Gliesman
Program Coordinator
815-753-6452
cgliesma@niu.edu
