University of Iowa French and international studies student Lauren Salloum of West Des Moines, Iowa, has been awarded a 2022 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study in Jordan this summer for an intensive Arabic language program.
The CLS scholarship is a program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is intended to help broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages while building relationships between people of the United States and other countries.
"I wanted to learn Arabic because I grew up in a bilingual household despite having never been formally taught the language," said Salloum. "I think it’s important to connect with one’s roots through whatever avenues you’re given or can find for yourself. Language is a strong marker of community and I feel most comfortable when I can converse with people without disruptions—not to mention Arabic sayings are hilarious."
"Language is a strong marker of community and I feel most comfortable when I can converse with people without disruptions."
CLS participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers.
In addition to visiting her family's homeland one day, Salloum says one of her future goals is to work as a translator in a French and Arabic-speaking country. "I’m not finished with language learning yet," said Salloum. "If you’re not using it, you’re losing it!"
For Iowa students interested in applying for a CLS, Salloum offers this advice:
"Self-reflection is good. The anecdotes I used in my application came from periods of serious introspection. It’s best to understand yourself before trying to explain yourself to someone else."