Calling all high school juniors!
Interested in learning a world language? Language learning provides students with the intercultural skills that are transferable to living and working in a globalized world. The process of learning a new language teaches you how to communicate with, work with, and understand people from backgrounds different from your own. In fact, intercultural competence is rated among the top skills needed for working in the future.
Join us for Buckeye World Language Day, an intercultural event.
Buckeye World Language Day offers high school juniors who are starting to think of where they would like to go to college a first glance at language courses offered to Ohio State students. Students and their families will learn about the transferable skills acquired by learning a new language, as well as scholarships and resources available at OSU for education, service learning, and internships abroad.
The event kicks off with a tour of OSU's Columbus campus, starting from and ending at Hagerty Hall. Janice Aski, director of the Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures, will then give a presentation about what to expect in terms of courses, advising, and navigating the challenges of freshman year. Afterwards, students and their families will have the opportunity to participate in sample language lessons, selected at random. Finally, there will be a table fair representing all language programs available at Ohio State, so students will get a chance to learn more about specific languages they may be interested in.
All registered participants receive a parking pass, free lunch, gifts, and a chance to win raffle prizes.
Buckeye World Language Day will be on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM including a catered lunch on Ohio State's Columbus campus. Start the day by taking a campus tour from 9:15 to 10 AM.
Step into a brand new culture, no passport required.
On Buckeye World Language Day, you will have the opportunity to be part of a surprise lesson in a world language selected at random. The goal is not to learn specifics about that language, but to experience how your brain responds and adapts when faced with something completely new. You'll get a glimpse into what college-level language learning is like at Ohio State, and discover the challenges, creativity, and excitement that come with learning to communicate in an entirely new way.
For questions regarding Buckeye World Language Day, please email cllcprograms@osu.edu.
Photos
To see photos from previous years of Buckeye World Language Day, please check out our photo gallery!
FAQ
While the event is mainly for high school juniors just starting to think about where they want to go to college, sophomores and seniors are also welcome to attend.
They will be a surprise! You’ll get the chance to experience 1 of 7 different languages in your surprise lesson.
No, all language experiences will be at random during the course of the event. If you want more information on a specific language offered at Ohio State, check out the table fair around lunchtime!
The campus tour is optional. If you do not wish to attend the tour, you can arrive by 10:00AM to experience the rest of the event.
Please arrive and check in at Hagerty Hall by 9:00AM to participate in the campus tour.
The main lobby of Hagerty Hall, where the Intercultural Gallery is located. You can access the Gallery from the entrance on the Oval. If you enter through the Crane Café doors, go down the hallway on your left to reach the Gallery.
Yes, Buckeye World Language Day is a free event.
Yes, a catered lunch will be provided at 12:45PM.
Students must attend Buckeye World Language Day with a parent, guardian, or adult chaperone.
Yes, but you must register each individual student attending through our registration form.
Parking will be available in the Ohio Union South Garage. Please keep your ticket with you to validate your parking!
We will validate your parking when you check in for the event, so don't forget to bring your ticket with you.