Five UA Students Receive Boren Scholarships for Language Study

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Five University of Alabama students have received Boren Scholarships for the study of languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad.

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught language in such regions as Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Boren Scholarship recipients represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholarship recipients commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. Amounts range from $8,000 for a summer program to $20,000 for six-to-12 months of study.

The students are:

Merideth Cazalas, of Mobile. She is a junior majoring in international studies with minors in psychology, political science and Japanese. With the Boren Scholarship, she will study Japanese in an intensive language program at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. On her return, she hopes to continue on the pre-law track and eventually join the U.S. military as a JAG lawyer. Her parents are Michael and Beth Cazalas.

Maria Huryn, of Tuscaloosa. A second-year student, Huryn studies international relations and economics. On campus, Huryn is involved in the Alabama International Relations Club, Estudiantes Sin Frontera and the Russia & Eastern Europe Club. She hopes to work for the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service officer.  Huryn will be studying Russian language and Eastern European politics in Daugavpils, Latvia, during the 2017-2018 academic year. Her parents are Alex Huryn and Vivian Butz Huryn.

Amica Rapadas, of Homewood. The sophomore studies international relations, economics and Chinese. She is also a member of the Computer-Based Honors Program. Rapadas is the president of the Chinese Culture Club and an English Language Learner tutor for local schools. She will be studying in Chengdu, China, to strengthen her proficiency in Mandarin and to learn about culture and politics. Her parents are Freddie and Aileen Rapadas.

Samuel Watson, of New Market. He is in the Honors College and is double majoring in computer science and mathematics with a minor in French. He devotes much of his time to Al’s Pals, READ Alabama, Honors College service programs and the Center for Service and Leadership. He will be in Seoul studying Korean. His parents are Sherrell and Sam Watson.

Matthew Zeliff, of Atlanta. He is pursuing a self-designed major through New College titled International Development. He will be at the University of Ghana for a full academic year while studying a language called Akan.  His parents are Karen and Stephen Zeliff.