University of Chicago students Sarina Zhao and Seth Julie have shared their experiences with the Foreign Language Acquisition Grant (FLAG) program, which offers students $7,000 to study abroad and enhance their language skills. The program requires students to choose a program lasting at least eight weeks with a minimum of 15 hours of language learning per week.
Sarina Zhao, a second-year student at UChicago, spent her summer in Beijing improving her Mandarin skills. While attending classes was beneficial, it was the interactions outside the classroom that truly connected her to Chinese culture. "I learned a lot about changes in modern Chinese culture," said Zhao. She found value in conversations with locals such as taxi drivers, which offered insights into contemporary Chinese thought.
Kylie Poulin Zahora, associate director of Study Abroad at UChicago, appreciates how FLAG encourages students to pursue personal goals without imposing boundaries. "It really forces students to think about what their goals are for the experience," she stated.
Seth Julie also utilized FLAG to strengthen his Spanish by spending time in Madrid after his first year in college. He emphasized the importance of real-world experiences for language learning: "The more experience I get being around native speakers... is only going to benefit my studies." His interactions with international classmates highlighted unexpected connections through shared language interests.
Julie faced challenges during his trip but saw them as opportunities for growth. He encouraged other students interested in FLAG or similar programs to maintain an open mind despite potential difficulties. Reflecting on his journey, he noted that taking initial steps leads naturally to further progress.
For Zhao, the opportunity allowed her to reconnect with her cultural heritage as a Mandarin speaker and deepen her understanding of Chinese culture through activities like day trips and opera performances. These experiences reinforced the importance of maintaining her cultural identity while living abroad.
Poulin Zahora believes that FLAG has lasting impacts on participants: "A lot of people really broaden their understanding of what it means to be human." She noted that these experiences often lead students to develop a more nuanced view of global cultures.