Flagship Student Attends The Language Flagship Hackathon

On April 10 and 11,2026, The Language Flagship program hosted its annual Flagship Hackathon "Hack the Language Flagship" at the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia. Yana Hejazi, a University of Arizona Arabic Flagship student, attended the event and gained valuable experience developing programs to promote language learning.  

The University of Arizona Arabic Flagship Program is part of a national initiative that prepares students to achieve professional-level proficiency in critical languages while pursuing degrees across a wide range of academic disciplines. Through immersive language instruction, study abroad opportunities, and professional development experiences, the program equips students with the linguistic and cultural skills needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Yana's participation in the Hackathon reflects the Arabic Flagship Program’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to apply their language skills in innovative, real-world settings while developing leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. 

Here is what Yana had to say about the event: 

"Participating in the Language Flagship Hackathon was a fun and rewarding experience. My team and I worked together to create a game that helps people learn a language in a more interactive and enjoyable way. It was exciting to combine creativity, technology, and language learning to develop something that could make learning more engaging for others. 

One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was traveling on my own to attend the Hackathon. It gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, become more independent, and meet students from different backgrounds. Throughout the event, I learned a lot about teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration while working toward a common goal. At the end of the Hackathon, I was proud to receive a certificate recognizing my participation. Overall, the experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I would encourage other students to take advantage of opportunities like this through the Flagship program.”  

Flagship students who could not attend this year’s event should keep an eye out for the next Hackathon event! More information about the Hackathon can be found on The Language Flagship website: https://thelanguageflagship.tech/hackathon/ 

Events such as the Flagship Hackathon demonstrate how the Arabic Flagship Program extends learning beyond the classroom, enabling students to engage with peers from across the country, explore innovative applications of language learning, and build skills that support their academic and professional goals.

If you want more information about the Flagship program, or are interested in applying, reach out to the Flagship Coordinator, Vanessa Vasquez, or fill out our application!