KINGSTON, R.I. – May 5, 2020 – Two University of Rhode Island freshmen majoring in international studies, have been selected for prestigious scholarships to study foreign languages abroad this summer.

Cate McLaughlin of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, who also majors in French and Arabic, was awarded the Critical Language Scholarship by the U.S. Department of State, which sponsors a two-month intensive language study program abroad.

East Greenwich, Rhode Island resident Jack Eustis, who also majors in Arabic and is a ROTC cadet, was selected for the Project GO (Global Officer) Scholarship. An initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, Project GO is designed to equip future military officers with valuable language and intercultural skills through intensive study abroad programs.

Unfortunately, due to travel concerns associated with COVID-19, both summer programs were canceled shortly after the scholarship winners were announced.

McLaughlin planned to participate in an intensive Arabic program in Meknes, Morocco, that would have included 20 hours per week of language classes plus regular excursions and cultural enrichment activities. Despite

the program’s cancelation, she hopes it is a stepping stone to being awarded a Boren Scholarship, a six- to twelve-month program that fosters the study of less commonly-taught languages for students aspiring to careers in public service.

Her career plan is to help newly-arrived immigrants transition into a new culture in the United States.

Had his program not been canceled, Eustis would have studied Arabic this summer at the Noor Majan Arabic Institute in Muscat, Oman. While there, he would have enrolled in eight weeks of intensive language classes and taken part in weekly conversation sessions with local Arabic speakers.

Eustis began Arabic coursework last fall, and it quickly became his favorite class. He ultimately hopes to commission into the U.S. Army upon graduation, and he believes his cross-cultural competency will provide a boost to his military career.

Student Patrick Thompson of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, a mechanical engineering and Chinese major, was also selected for a Critical Language Scholarship.

URI students interested in applying to the Critical Language Scholarship or Project Go Scholarship programs should contact the URI Office of National Fellowships and Academic Opportunities for guidance and institutional endorsement.