The Foreign Language Initiative was created in January 2005 at Minnesota State University – Mankato, in order to promote diversity by encouraging more interaction between the disparate groups on campus. As a volunteer organization, it establishes culturally relevant connections between native speakers of world languages represented on this campus, and students interested in learning said languages.

The FLI offers a variety of free language classes and sponsors language fairs where people are actively engaged in interactive language games that allow easy and fun access to languages from Amharic to Yoruba. Additionally, FLI teachers are provided with guidance in developing effective teaching plans.

The FLI also fulfills the objectives of forming positive attitudes toward foreign languages, expanding minds, fostering meaningful friendships, enriching lives, and maintaining unity among all the language contingents in the spirit of unprecedented communication, coordination & cooperation. Through sustained engagement with different communities, the FLI hopes to bring these assets to the world of subsequent generations. The FLI is keenly aware that its accomplishments now will determine the destiny of societies in the future.