The award recipients will study languages critical to the nation's economic and security interests.
Three Rutgers University–Camden students are among 600 nationwide to have been awarded prestigious Critical Language Scholarships by the U.S. Department of State. The scholarships provide funding and support to study a language identified as critical to the nation’s economic and security interests.
This year, there were more than 5,550 applicants to the program, which, since its inception in 2006, has supported nearly 10,000 participants gain critical language skills and intercultural competence.
“Our office is dedicated to empowering students and alumni interested in pursuing graduate education and funded award opportunities that bolster their long-term academic and professional goals,” said Laura Collins, director of the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising. “These students who received this scholarship are a prime example of that and we are incredibly proud of them.”
Amy Glasser, Master of Public Administration, Class of 2025
Traveling to Tanzania to Study Swahili
Nearly a decade ago, Amy Glasser traveled to Africa for the first time, spending two years serving as a member of the Peace Corps and traveling extensively. She gained some fluency in Swahili during that time but admits her skills have grown rusty.
She has not returned to Africa since then but hopes to live and work in East Africa in the near future. The scholarship will allow Glasser to move closer to her goal.
“I have always loved working with kids and young adults, and I have experience as a high school math teacher and private tutor,” said Glasser. “I am currently in the process of obtaining my teaching license and searching for a math teacher position at an international school overseas, ideally in East Africa, where I can use Swahili every day.”
Jonathan Pamel, Master of Public Administration, Class of 2025
Traveling to Latvia to Study Russian
Jonathan Pamel is also a former member of the Peace Corps, having volunteered in Ukraine after finishing his undergraduate degree in 2014. He later worked for a research institute with ties in the Republic of Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan while pursuing his master’s degree at Rutgers–Camden.
“The Russian language has its own history and relationship with each of those countries,” said Pamel. “Understanding Russian will allow me to better engage with my colleagues and better understand the ‘language politics’ unique to each country.”
Pamel hopes to leverage the skills he will gain from this scholarship to further the work he has already been doing with the research institute, but he also has a more personal goal: keeping up with the conversations with his wife’s family around the kitchen table in the Republic of Georgia.
Aubre Blake, Bachelor of Arts, Class of 2028
Studying Korean Through an Immersive Virtual Course
For art major Aubre Blake, the scholarship will provide a path to becoming a a more dynamic storyteller and animator.
"South Korea collaborates with many international studios to create animated television shows and movies," said Blake. "Learning Korean will create new opportunities for me that I never would have had before.
I also want to deepen my understanding of Korean culture and perspectives and become a better writer as a result of this program. My dream is to tell impactful stories through animation, and learning about other cultures and languages helps me understand more diverse perspectives."
