For the first time, University of Pennsylvania students can learn Mongolian and delve into a new culture.

The East Asian Languages and Civilizations Department introduced the new course in an effort to expand their Mongolian studies program and increase awareness of Mongolian culture on campus. Elementary Mongolian is being offered in this autumn and spring semesters and counts as a credit towards the language requirement.

Penn is unique in offering Mongolian as a language, as only a few universities in the United States, including Indiana University and the University of California at Berkeley, offer it as a language option.

Mongolian student O.Dashdulam, is studying at Pennsylvania Univesity for one year as a Fulbright Scholar, aiming to introduce her culture to Penn students and increase cultural understanding between Mongolia and the U.S.