VCU news

By Tom Gresham

A recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate has received a Critical Language Scholarship to study Arabic in Tunisia.

Conschetta Wright, from Birmingham, Ala., graduated this month with a master’s degree in public health. Wright will study Arabic in an eight-week immersion program in Tunisia that starts on May 31. Wright is interested in learning about medical Arabic and plans to use the Critical Language Scholarship experience to help her offer culturally competent care to patients who speak Arabic.

The Critical Language Scholarship provides funding for American students to spend the summer studying the languages and cultures of countries not frequently studied in the United States. Applicants are selected in part on their interests in regions of the world deemed essential to U.S. security. The scholarships are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“The Critical Language Scholarships have quickly become one of the most sought-after nationally competitive scholarships,” said Jeff Wing, national scholarship coordinator in the Honors College at VCU. “They are available to students from every possible field of study, are fully funded – including travel, living expenses and tuition – and take place during the summer when almost any student can study abroad. We are very pleased to have another CLS recipient this year.”

Students interested in learning more about the Critical Language Scholarship should visit http://www.honors.vcu.edu/nationalscholar, or contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or 804-828-1803.