Shefa’a T. Tawil, a University of Iowa alumna (BS psychology ‘25) from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Arabic this summer in Amman, Jordan.
This marks her second CLS award, following her participation in the program in Morocco in 2024.
“My CLS experience in Morocco was transformative,” she said. “Living and studying in an unfamiliar environment forced me to use Arabic every day, strengthen my Modern Standard Arabic, and engage with a dialect different from my own. It accelerated my language learning in ways that would have otherwise taken much longer and motivated me to continue pursuing opportunities abroad.”
Tawil’s decision to apply again was shaped by both mentorship and friendship.
“Dr. Ramadan, director of the Arabic program, encouraged me to apply again,” said Tawil. “I was also inspired by a previous two‑time CLS awardee and a close friend, Ryann Hubbart, who showed me that pursuing the program multiple times was possible. Arabic is a challenging language, and multiple rounds of immersion are necessary to reach a superior level of fluency.”
Tawil’s interest in Arabic began as a personal journey to reconnect with her heritage.
“As a Palestinian‑American, I was drawn to Arabic while trying to reconnect with a part of myself I felt I had lost,” Tawil said. “After forgetting Arabic as a child and growing up speaking only English, it sometimes felt like I was only comfortable with half of myself.”
Beyond heritage, Tawil views Arabic study as essential to her future career in medicine and humanitarian work. During visits to Palestine, she witnessed medical professionals providing care to civilians under extreme conditions, experiences that inspired her long‑term goals.
“These experiences shaped my aspiration to become a physician with Doctors Without Borders working in Palestine,” Tawil said. “Fluency in Arabic is necessary to treat and connect with both my patients and my colleagues.”
Her previous international experiences further reinforced that goal. Tawil received the Global Access Ambassador Scholarship and the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to study in Jordan in 2025, where she refined her dialect skills and gained firsthand exposure to the healthcare challenges facing displaced communities.
When asked what advice she would offer students interested in CLS, Tawil emphasized persistence and encouragement.
“If you’re thinking about applying to CLS, please apply,” she said. “It’s truly an eye‑opening and life‑changing experience. If you’ve been unsuccessful before, apply again—you are capable of winning a CLS. I’d be more than happy to talk with any student interested in applying.”
The CLS is a U.S. Department of State program designed to broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages while fostering relationships between people in the United States and other countries.
Learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.