The U.S. Department of State has awarded four University of Arkansas students the Critical Language Scholarship to study critical languages abroad this summer.

The scholarship winners are:

• Jessica Garross, international business alumna (December 2017), studying Urdu in India
• Emily Matlock, industrial engineering senior, studying Japanese in Japan
• Samuel Scurry, history doctoral student, studying Arabic in Jordan
• Zachary Smith, international business junior, studying Arabic in Morocco

"I am delighted to see multiple University of Arkansas students earn this competitive award," said DeDe Long, director of the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange. "The language acquisition and cultural immersion they will experience while abroad is an exciting opportunity for these students, and it will increase the international footprint of our university and our state."

Each student will spend 8-10 weeks overseas partaking in intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. Critical Language Scholarship recipients are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship and apply their critical language skills in their future careers.

The Critical Language Scholarship program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. The scholars gain critical language and cultural skills that enable them to contribute to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

Students interested in learning more about U of A study abroad opportunities or applying for the Critical Language Scholarship Program scholarship should contact the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange.