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Four students from the University of North Georgia (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) have been selected as 2024 Boren Scholarship recipients, and one was named an alternate. The awardees each won funding of up to $25,000 to study a critical language abroad. In return, they agree to work for the federal government for a year upon graduation. 

Taylor Berry, a senior from Villa Rica, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals and minors in biology and chemistry, will be attending National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. The time abroad will also serve as her capstone in the Chinese Language Flagship program. Berry plans to use her language skills and scientific knowledge to help defend the national security of the U.S. through biodefense.

"The capstone year will drive my Chinese proficiency toward a superior level on its own, which will help me acquire this kind of job," Berry said. "By interning in a research lab and directly enrolling in a science-specific class, I hope to gain more knowledge of science lingo in Chinese to apply to language analysis of science-specific documents. Specifically, I am very interested in ethical and unethical gene editing practices in China and how increasing development in genetic technology, among other biotechnology, in China could pose a threat to U.S. national security."

Cumming, Georgia, resident Ella Reid is pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies with a minor in Chinese. A senior, Reid is also headed to the National Chengchi University's Chinese Flagship Overseas Capstone Program.

"The Boren Scholarship provides an opportunity to further my cultural and linguistic expertise to become a global citizen. Growing my international relations literacy in Taiwan will provide me with new perspectives and challenge my thinking, allowing me to develop a well-rounded understanding of the Taiwanese from a first-person perspective," Reid said.

Adria Swiney, a junior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a Russian language and literature concentration, is going to Armenia to continue her studies of the Russian language and culture.

"By becoming proficient in Russian, I will be a more useful employee in the federal government. Learning critical languages is a worthwhile endeavor, and becoming more knowledgeable about cultures and languages will help us better serve the American populace," the Toccoa, Georgia, resident said. 

Cody Robinson, a junior pursuing a degree in computer science, will spend the summer in Japan, where he will continue his studies of Japanese. The Spalding County resident said the experience will "help cultivate his understanding and proficiency in Japanese."

"I am hoping to pursue a future career that uses both the skill sets from computer science and Japanese, preferably something pertaining to artificial intelligence development as that, besides Japanese, is a big passion of mine at the moment," Robinson said.

Alternate Enoch Choi is a freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in kinesiology. Choi could be heading to Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. The aspiring health care worker believes the experience will enhance their communication skills.

"I am proud of all of our applicants. The Boren application requires knowledge of U.S. national security, and that sets it apart from many other study abroad scholarships. It is a career-making scholarship and one that ensures that ÌìÃÀÉçÇø is contributing to U.S. national security in deep and meaningful ways," Dr. Victoria Hightower, assistant director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office and professor of history, said.