Two UM-Flint students named Critical Language Scholars by State Department

Imagine applying for an opportunity that has a 90% failure rate. Pretty daunting. 

Imagine beating the odds and having your application selected. Now, you must prepare for months of living abroad, communicating in a new language, and immersing yourself in a new culture. For some, that might seem overwhelming. For students like Keaton Reese, a sophomore anthropology major from Grand Blanc, and Alimatou Sarr, a 2024 University of Michigan-Flint graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science, it seems like an exciting adventure and an opportunity to advance not only their educations but also their worldviews. 

The pair are the first UM-Flint students in the institution's history to be named Critical Language Scholars by the U.S. Department of State. The CLS program, which only accepts close to 500 students annually, "provides opportunities for American college and university students to study languages and cultures essential to America's engagement with the world," according to the program webpage. Participating students spend a minimum of eight weeks learning one of 13 languages at an intensive study-abroad institute. 

Reese will study Indonesian at the State University of Malang in Indonesia, while Sarr will study Arabic at the Jordan Language Academy in Jordan. To further their language immersion, they will each stay with a host family during their experience. 

"I was actually at a career fair when I got the email that I was accepted and I was just in shock," Sarr said. "When you're graduating, you're applying to dozens of experiences and jobs trying to get something that'll land – there's a lot of emotional ups and downs. When I learned I got it, I did not have the words to describe what I felt. I'm very excited to be recognized as deserving of this opportunity to learn more about cultures and languages that are not always so different from our own."

This will actually be a return trip to Indonesia for Reese, who previously traveled to the country as part of Associate Professor of Anthropology Daniel Birchok's "Trusted Faces, Familiar Places" study, which examined lagging vaccination rates in the country's Aceh province.

"I think Dr. Birchok sat back and thought, 'Did I really just select a first-year student to go on this trip with me?'" Reese said. "But then he said that he saw me go through the preparation and he was confident that he made the right choice, which really made me feel good because I was going through a lot of imposter syndrome at the time. I was nervous talking to everybody. I was shaking before every meeting. I just had no confidence. Dr. Birchok was really amazing in helping me get through that."

Birchok has worked with both students and has high praise for their curiosity and openness to new experiences. 

"Keaton's time in Indonesia with our grant team last year really helped him to gain research and basic language skills, introduced him to Indonesia, and built his confidence, setting him on the path that led to him achieving the Critical Language Scholarship, " he said. "I couldn't be prouder of him, and it reminds me of why I am also proud to be part of a UM-Flint team that includes my colleagues in the College of Arts Sciences and Education and the Center for Global Engagement, all of whom have supported Keaton on his journey.

"I've had Alimatou in two classes and also informally advised her on her thesis, and I can honestly say that she is one of those students whom we are far luckier to have than the other way around. She's truly exceptional, and I'm not surprised at all that she was selected as a Critical Language Scholarship recipient. Everyone should keep their eyes open for her going forward. She is going to be a mover and a shaker in all the best ways." 

The CLS program application process is quite rigorous, including several essays and a complete academic and extracurricular history. Luckily, both Reese and Sarr had the support of Kristen Canavan, education abroad coordinator at UM-Flint's CGE. Canavan is an alum of the 2015 CLS Arabic Program in Madaba, Jordan, which makes her uniquely qualified to help students prepare for this life-changing opportunity. 

"I strongly believe that UM-Flint students are not only capable but incredibly deserving of opportunities such as CLS. They simply need the support of CLS advisors to take the risk and 'hit submit,'" Canavan said. "CLS changed my life in the sense that it instilled a new sense of confidence which led to me working abroad for several years – which further elevated my critical language skills. It is incredibly rewarding to see not one but two UM-Flint students be accepted into the CLS program in pursuit of their critical language acquisition journeys."

According to Sapna Thwaite, vice provost for academic affairs, the work of students like Reese and Sarr, supported by UM-Flint's faculty and staff, exemplifies the university's mission and vision. 

"UM-Flint is committed to advancing our local and global communities through the collaboration of our students, faculty and staff. I can't think of a better example of this mission being realized than in two of our students receiving this prestigious honor," Thwaite said. "I am equally elated that our faculty and staff were able to help Reese and Sarr cultivate their academic and cultural curiosity while making this life-changing opportunity a reality."

Reese and Sarr will conduct their CLS trips from June to August this year. More information about global experiences with UM-Flint can be found on the CGE webpage.