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CAS student receives Critical Language Scholarship [03.18.2015]
TAMPA, Fla. -- Micah Barker, a senior majoring in international studies at the University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences was awarded the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study beginning level Hindi in Jaipur, India for eight weeks this summer. The Critical Language Scholarship award is fully funded by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The award also provides an orientation in Washington, D.C. and language courses abroad during the summer of 2015.
Barker is a member of USF’s Phi Sigma Pi Co-ed Honors Fraternity, treasurer and dancer for the USF Bull Bhangra Dance Team, and Historian of the USF Indian Students Association. She was a research intern for CitizInvestor and has volunteered for Feeding America (Tampa) and Metropolitan Ministries. In addition, she has volunteered and participated in annual international festivals such as the Caribbean Carnival and the World of Nations event in Jacksonville.
Through the CLS program, Barker hopes that her study of the Hindi language will help to increase her international exposure as well as her adaptability. She believes this experience will be an excellent segue into her graduate studies where she will pursue a degree in conflict negotiation and peace studies. She hopes to one day work at an international organization, such as the United Nations, with a focus on South or East Asia. Her long-term career goal is to work in the field as a U.N. conflict negotiator and/or interpreter. “By learning Hindi through the CLS program, it will be a major stepping stone towards my goal of working daily for peace, cooperation and prosperity,” Barker said.
The Office of National Scholarships identifies, recruits and mentors high achieving students to apply for national merit scholarships across all disciplines. The scholarships and fellowships are for creative, motivated and academically strong students who are leaders in and out of the classroom.
The Critical Language Scholarship offers fully-funded group-based intensive language instruction and summer language institutes for U.S. university undergraduate and graduate students to study 13 critical foreign languages for the summer term in locations where the language is natively spoken. The selection process is administered by the American Councils for International Education and The Ohio State University/Ohio University with awards approved by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cultural Affairs.
Filed under:Arts and Sciences Student Success CreditsAuthor:Lauren Chambers Contact:lschumac@honors.usf.edu