Faraz Ansari, a fourth-year international studies major, has been selected to receive a Critical Language Scholarship to study intensive Urdu for summer 2019. Faraz, who is also finishing a major in economics and a minor in Chinese, will be studying in Lucknow, India, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, at the American Institute for Indian Studies. Below is his essay, which details the academic and personal significance of this experience and award. Congratulations, Faraz! 

"As the son of first-generation immigrants from Pakistan, I've been no stranger to Urdu. My parents often speak it interchangeably with English at home, and over the years I've developed an ability to understand most of what is being spoken around me. However, only very recently have I attempted to speak it back to family members - with less-than-stellar results. This inability to speak the language of my heritage was put on full display the last time I was in Pakistan, in 2005. It was my uncle's wedding, and the elaborate celebration was packed with extended family members from all over Pakistan and the surrounding nations. Even with such a wide variety of ethnicities represented, those in attendance defaulted to speaking Urdu. Naturally, that was less than desirable for then-7-year-old me - my Urdu then was even worse than now and I subsequently had a very difficult time communicating with my relatives. So there I stood, in the incredibly strange position of being on the outside looking in upon the culture that was supposedly mine. I vividly remember appreciating the beauty of "my" people's traditions, while also acknowledging my "otherness." Looking back, it was the first time I critically thought about the existence of multiple cultural perspectives; perhaps that is what sparked my interest in my current major of studies, International Relations and Diplomacy.

Since that experience, I've had the opportunity to travel and observe a number of beautiful cultures. Traveling, coupled with my classes, further illustrated to me the importance of cultural exchange and diverse global perspectives. Additionally, in my time at Ohio State I've joined the Model United Nations team. Through Model UN, I've been forced to put aside my views as an American and examine the world through other nations' points of view. Eventually, I hope to join the Foreign Service as a Foreign Service Officer. In this profession, being able to step into the shoes of other nations is essential for understanding their perspectives. For example, in the case of United States-Pakistani relations, there are many key differences of thought that have roots in economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. As I was raised in a religiously conservative Pakistani household in Dallas, Texas, I believe that I have served as a bridge between these two very different cultures for all of my life. However, further Urdu acquisition and cultural immersion would cement that I am uniquely qualified to help resolve the issues between my two nations in the future.

As a Foreign Service Officer, I will continually immerse myself in foreign cultures and learn languages at an accelerated pace. To that end, I believe participation in the Critical Language Scholarship program would allow me to hone my adaptability as a necessary tool for my desired career. Additionally, learning Urdu through the CLS program will provide me formal and informal education in a culture that I already possess strong ties to, and such education would further develop my cross-cultural communication ability to relate to people across the world."