LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
A U.S. Air Force Airman from Langley Air Force Base, Va., was recently chosen to join the Language Enabled Airman Program along with 458 other officers and enlisted Airmen.
As an advanced level Polish speaker, Air University's Air Force Culture and Language Center offered Maj. Beata Rosson, 633rd Medical Group TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration flight commander, the opportunity to establish an internship with Polish medical facilities, during which she will provide her Air Force specialty skills and in return, receive further education in the Polish language, culture and lifestyle while cultivating international bonds.
"I'm honored that the foreign language skill I already possess is recognized as a valuable asset in support of national security objectives and the Air Force mission," said Rosson. "The upcoming temporary duty assignment will definitely shape up my professional Polish language skills, and hopefully the help Air Force achieve its mission in the future."
The program aims to provide the Air Force with a pool of foreign language-enabled Airmen who are willing to use their language skills to meet the needs of their occupational mission, explained Rosson. Air University's Air Force Culture and Language Center leads the program, which focuses on developing cross-cultural competencies among Airmen who have the ability to quickly and accurately comprehend a culturally-complex environment, and then appropriately and effectively act to achieve the desired effect.
After submitting an application to the AFCLC and expressing her goals to pave the way for future LEAP members, she contacted the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow, Poland. From there, Rosson was given permission to attend medical administrative courses for two weeks at Jagiellonian University School of Public Health, shadow the medical staff for one week at the Military Hospital in Krakow and spend one last week with the U.S funded children's hospital.
"The primary goal of my visit to Poland is to improve my professional language skills, but I will also to familiarize myself with the Polish Public Health and hospital administration education standards and healthcare system," said Rosson. "I'll have an opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge, and hopefully build lasting partnerships, which could be utilized by future LEAP participants."
During her time in the program, Rosson hopes to discover what experiences and opportunities this type of immersion has to offer future members.
After completing her language immersion training, Rosson will enroll in the eMentor program, a web-based foreign language program offered by AFCLC to maintain her skills.
"I'm going to be one of the first people in a self-designed immersion program," said Rosson. "I hope to return with an increased knowledge of medical operations in Poland and significantly improved professional language skills."
Rosson explained how Service members with foreign language skills can help strengthen partnerships between the United States and its foreign allies.
"The English language is widespread throughout the world, but there are some areas where our counterparts do not have the language ability," said Rosson. "It is important to be able to communicate with them in their specific language, as well as understand their culture and thought processes. Culture plays a big part in how our foreign nationals perceive the world, that's why I think the language immersion program is so great."
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