In June of 2011, when I first looked into The Boren Awards Scholarship Program, I thought the program far too competitive for me, and quickly resigned myself to the fact that there was little to no chance I would ever qualify. However, upon discovering Boren’s 2012 African Language Initiative program for Portuguese study in Mozambique, I couldn’t resist at least applying. I began the long rigorous application process in July 2011 with very little expectation of any substantive results.   Little did I know that this seemingly hopeless whim would turn into the opportunity of a lifetime.

According to the Boren website, “Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East…Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.” Perhaps now the reader can see why I was intimidated by the prospects of application.

Nonetheless the application process proceeded slowly and uneventfully. I filled out all applications, interviewed with Boren representatives at my university, wrote an essay on the importance of Mozambique in US national security, participated in language proficiency interviews, gathered letters of recommendation from professors and colleagues, and submitted all parts of the application by the January 2012 deadline. Upon submission my future passed into the hands of Scott Galer, my Boren campus representative, who would write my final recommendation, and the Boren selection committee who would make the ultimate decision. I waited somewhat hopefully, but well aware of the fact that only a small percentage of the applicants get selected (about 150 out of thousands).By May 2012, I felt fairly certain I had not been selected, but then the email came. I was informed that I had been selected  would receive Boren Funding to participate in the American Councils African Language Initiative program at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo, Mozambique.  I was ecstatic to say the least. Through the word of one brief letter my life passions seemed to instantly become achievable in a way I had previously never let myself believe possible. I was being given the chance to travel to the country I love, to study the people I love, in the culture I love, for the country I love. (Not to mention they were picking up most the tab.)

And so began the journey from wistful applicant to Boren Scholar. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that has been afforded me to complete my undergraduate education in such a fulfilling manner. I am fully dedicated to making the most of this experience, and I hope that my life and accomplishments might prove someday to be a valuable return on a generous investment.