Featured Students
Jacob Rigby ’22
Class Year: Junior
Majoring: Political Science
Minoring: History and Asian Studies.
Jobs/ Internships: Accepted into American Studies Program internship at the University of Sydney, Australia through the Hinckley Institute
Could you tell me more about the language you studied?
I study Vietnamese and received a FLAS scholarship to study in Vietnam summer 2019. (I do not know if this next part is necessary but...) Vietnamese is a moderately difficult language to learn, there are tones, different words you use for specific situations and grammar structures, and there are numerous different accents with their own vocabulary which is both unique and confusing when listening to people from different parts of Vietnam.
What has FLAS done for you and why it is important?
By being able to study abroad in Vietnam I was able to learn more about my culture and heritage and can improve my Vietnamese language skills. I hope to be able to use these skills in a future career as a collegiate professor or in the Intelligence community. The skills I learned abroad are irreplaceable and extremely valuable in helping me appreciate media and art in Vietnamese.
What would you say to current students that are thinking of applying?
I would tell every student to try and apply for a FLAS scholarship. Having that experience is priceless and is extremely helpful when applying for various jobs and internships. This can only help you, and at the very least, you learned a second or third language.
What do you hope to do in the future?
I hope to be a collegiate professor and teach Vietnamese history or Political relations within Southeast Asia, alternatively, I also would like to work as an intelligence analyst for the NSA or as a linguistic analyst.
Tell me about your time in Vietnam and why you chose to go there?
Living in Vietnam during the summer was fantastic, I had lived there before, but now I could have a genuine college experience as I studied there. I was also able to meet relatives and travel with them to my mother's hometown and explore my ancestral lineage and experience for myself what life was like for them. After I initially lived in Vietnam a few years before my FLAS scholarship, I fell in love with the people, the country, and the beauty that exists within this hidden gem.
Paola Linette Cervantes ’22
Class year: Junior
Major(s) and Minor(s): International Studies, Political Science, Latin American Studies
Jobs and/or internships you have had or going to be starting:
- I interned at the Dream Center at The University of Utah in the Spring 2020.
- I am currently an intern at the Center of Latin American Studies where I help coordinate a Spanish community on campus.
- I am currently a Hinckley Ambassador at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, my duty is to share information about the variety of internships opportunities that U of U students have.
- I am currently one of the peer mentors for the Second Year Experience Program from the Center of Ethnic Studies Affairs.
If you won any awards, please share what they were.
- SLC Youth of the Year 2018
- Sophomore Rising Professional 2020
Could you tell me more about the language(s) you studied?
I was born and raised in Mexico. I came to Utah at the age of 16 years old. I am native Spanish speaker. I decided to study Portuguese because since I was a kid I would listen to music in Portuguese. Perhaps, since I was a freshman in college I would study other languages and finally decided to stick on with Portuguese. I have some friends from Brazil who would encourage me to learn the language.
Why studying languages is important?
I think is important to really connect with other cultures and there’s nothing better than learning the language to culturally and socially engaged within a community.
Tell me about your time at the U studying Latin American Studies (LAS).
I am having an amazing time learning new things every day and connecting with other students that share the same passions. Finding a major that fits your interests and passion is the best combination and being able to learn from professionals that work in the same field career it’s been motivational for me.
Why you chose to study LAS?
I decided to pursue a BA in LAS because I am passionate about history and politics. While I was in my Politics of Mexico class I decided that I would add it as a 3rd major since I was really interested in all of these topics and I thought it was really important to know my history, my culture and understand how the past shaped the present in Latin America
What would you say to current students that are thinking of majoring or minoring in LAS?
I would say pursue this career with a dream in mind. If you want to accomplish something, put it as a goal always give yourself the opportunity to explore. Get engage in the community, get involved on campus groups and activities and share your interests and experiences with other students.
How did you get to where you are now or where you are going?
I have put a lot of effort into my education and my college experience. I have dedicated to pursue what I like the most. I have had the support of my mentors and advisors who have guided me. As a first-generation student I have taken advantage of every opportunity I’ve had and I keep putting my best effort to keep focused and don’t forget how everything started. I often have to remember myself where I come from and how I started my college journey. Three years ago I was not even sure if I was going to have the opportunity to attend college, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to continue my education each semester.
Sarah Moore ’21
Class year: 4th Year/Senior
Major: Asian Studies
Minor: Korean Studies
Could you tell me more about the language(s) you are studying?
I am currently studying Korean as a heritage-seeker and wanting to work/attend school in South Korea after graduation, if possible.
Why you chose Asia Studies?
It was one of the majors that really piqued my interest. The world is quickly becoming globalized and it is crucial to know about different areas/countries for mutual understanding and to establish camaraderie and connections with one another rather than labeling and misinterpreting another culture.
How did you get to where you are now or where you are going?
Honestly, entering college was such a rush and a whole lot of confusion. As a first-generation college student, I didn't know what I wanted to be or what I wanted to really study, all I knew is that I wanted to graduate and get a high paying, traditional job. Through many trials and changing my major a few times, I finally decided that Asian Studies was the major for me because it is where my passions align. I love learning about my culture, being a mixed Korean American student, and learning about the many other cultures that affected Korea historically and even now. I figured that if I am happy studying what I love now, then later I will be just as happy with what career this amazing major gets me to!
If you won any awards, please share what they were.
I am honored to be a recipient of the amazing Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Scholarship as it paid for more than half of my overall tuition on the University of Utah campus. I have also received the Departmental Scholarship for Asian Studies and other academic scholarships on campus.
FLAS
Could you tell me more about the language you studied?
I study Korean on campus!
What has FLAS done for you and why it is important?
FLAS made it possible for me to make the final decision on majoring in Asian Studies. This award has honestly helped push me in the direction that I have wanted to go and supported me and my decisions (thank you Patrick Cheney and immense thanks to Professor Koeun Park and Professor Deberniere Torrey). This scholarship has also excelled my language learning opportunities and now I am happy to say that I have and can comfortably communicate with my family in South Korea without worrying about a huge language barrier. This award has allowed me to connect with my family along with getting a degree- how many awards can you say do both?
What would you say to current students that are thinking of applying?
APPLY! If you are interested in a language and are determined to continue your studies with the language, please apply! It has been such a huge help to my academic career and has allowed me to attend school without worrying about tuition. The application process does seem daunting, but it is all worth it in the end. I used to be the student that if I saw an application that was longer than one page, I would just pass it up. I am forever grateful that I didn't do that with the FLAS scholarship.
What do you hope to do in the future?
I hope to study abroad in South Korea for a few semesters after I graduate. I want to experience being abroad within a community that I am familiar with but at the same time a stranger to. While in South Korea I want to pursue a degree in Psychology while also engaging with the community, such as teaching English to students.
Please add anything else that you would like shared.
When you are a part of FLAS, you are a part of a community. I am so lucky to be a part of this fellowship because I have gotten to know more faculty within the University of Utah and more opportunities have been opened to me because of being in this fellowship. Meeting and networking with individuals within FLAS has helped me connect with individuals across multiple disciplines on campus. A language isn't something that you stop learning or using within school, it is a highly sought-after skill post-grad and will continually bring opportunities to you.