Robert English wants a career in government service. Gabrielle Hanley wants to work as a translator or interpreter. Matthew Moore wants to be a cop, in the military or work for the government.
Common to their ambitions: fluency in a language other than their native English.
Cultivating that is their focus this year as part of a cohort of five George Mason University students who received Boren Awards to undertake an intense year of language study abroad.
Awards are $20,000 for undergraduates, $30,000 for graduate students. About 270 awards were given this year out of 1,170 applicants, a program spokeswoman said.
“It is one of the most prestigious study-abroad scholarships you can get,” said LaNitra Berger, director of the Office of Fellowships in Mason’s Honors College. “It says a lot about our students and their ambitions and what we’re doing to promote study abroad.”
English, a senior majoring in global affairs, is studying Arabic in Jordan. Hanley, a senior majoring in government and international politics, is studying Korean in South Korea. Moore, a junior also majoring in government and international politics, will study Russian in Kazakhstan.
They join Kimberly Whicher, a senior majoring in conflict analysis and resolution, who is studying Serbian in Serbia, and Latasha Solomon, a graduate student of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, also is studying Arabic in Jordan.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” English said. “An amazing opportunity.”
Berger led the undergraduates through the application process that included crafting personal essays and identifying the overseas academic programs in which they will participate. Kay Agoston, graduate fellowship director in the Office of the Provost, mentored the graduate students.
Scholarship recipients must study languages or fields critical to national security and commit to work in the federal government for at least a year after graduation.
“I’m hoping it’s a stepping stone,” said English, who studied Arabic in high school and in Morocco with a Critical Language Scholarship. “I don’t know where that’s going to take me, but I’m not going to be picky in terms of gateway opportunities.”
Hanley will make her fourth visit to Korea after a semester at Mason Korea and studying in-country with a Critical Language Scholarship and through the U.S. Department of State’s National Security language Initiative for Youth.
“I wouldn’t use the word conquer,” she said, “but I really need to get into the language and get a level of professional proficiency.”
Of the Boren Award, Berger said, “It is a life-changing opportunity.”