Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes - WISLI

Meet SEASSI student Malaya's cat, Meow Meow! "Meow Meow is excited to learn . She likes to review flash cards and take notes too."

WISLI can happen anywhere! Proof of that: CESSI student Amanda joining a virtual conversation table from Venice, Italy. 🇰🇿✈️

This quote from reminds us that true vision is not just about what we see, but how we see.

That is also what language learning can offer: every new language opens up a new way of viewing the world, with more empathy, respect, and understanding. It can help us recognize ourselves in people whose lives may look very different from our own.

We’re thrilled to celebrate WISLI Academic Coordinator Razima Selim Chowdhury on her transition to Teaching Professor in Cornell University’s Department of Asian Studies, where she teaches ! 🎉

Razima joined SASLI as a Bangla Instructor in 2016 and has coordinated the program since 2019. More recently, she has also taken on coordinating CESSI, MEDLI, and SIPI, bringing her care and expertise to programs across WISLI.

On top of this incredible transition, Razima was also named a recipient of Cornell’s Sophie Washburn French Instructorship, an award recognizing excellence in language instruction across the College of Arts & Sciences.

We’re so lucky to have Razima on our team. Congratulations, Razima—this is so well deserved!

Meet another WISLI pet! 🐾 Skippyjon is keeping an eye on SEASSI student Eli—and brushing up on a few vocabulary words and proverbs himself along the way. 📚🐶

“Vencedores no meu coração.”

SIPI student Jasbeth attended the Norway vs. match during this year’s World Cup. For her, studying at WISLI has opened the door to cultural immersion and connections beyond the classroom:

“These lessons rooted in engaged learning have provided us with the vocabulary and tools to meaningfully connect with the language, which is why, during the World Cup, I excitedly watched every single one of Brasil’s games. I made it a point to watch the games in public and connect with the local Brasilian community in my area.” 🇧🇷⚽

Ghalib wrote these words nearly two centuries ago, yet they still carry the same weight today—a reminder that learning a language opens a door to the feelings, ideas, and literary traditions it carries. This is the kind of richness our learners encounter firsthand at WISLI. 📖✨

🌍 Language learning doesn’t end when class does.
Join Dr. Adeola Agoke to explore practical tools and strategies for maintaining and growing your language skills beyond the classroom.
📅 Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m. CDT
Register at go.wisc.edu/wisli-workshop!