By Brittney Dunkins
When Atlanta native Jennifer Sewall graduated from Mars Hill College with a degree in history and political science, she was drawn to the places she’d studied as an undergraduate— Asia, Africa and, more specifically, the United Republic of Tanzania.
Three years ago, her passion, first sparked by two trips as a teenager to North and West Africa, led to a teaching position at an informal school in a rural area outside of Kilimanjaro, where, more than 8,000 miles away from home, surrounded by the rich culture of Tanzania, she fell in love with the country and vowed to return.
“The cultures are vast, the languages are many, the history is great–but most of all, there is opportunity on the continent,” said Ms. Sewall.
Since 2009, she has visited the region every year to work on sustainability projects in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Each time she returns, she is struck by the attitude of those living in the struggling nations.
“It is one of entrepreneurship, determination and hope,” she said. “Too often people think of despair and hunger. I see the richness and all the possibilities through better governance and education.”
Now, after completing the first year of the International Education Program in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, she’ll pursue her passion for Swahili and study in Tanzania on a Boren Fellowship, a $25,100 grant that will fund her studies and travel.
The government-funded grant program aids students in pursuing proficiency in less common languages and in adding an international component to their degree through cultural immersion in areas that are critical to U.S. national security, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East.
“I knew when I decided to attend George Washington that I wanted to apply for the Boren Fellowship,” Ms. Sewall said, noting that she was drawn to the reputation of the university, the strong alumni network and the research interests and experiences of the professors.
“I saw it as an incredible opportunity to return to Swahili culture and, more specifically, Tanzania to complete an intense language study with the end goal of working for the Department of State.”
Ms. Sewall will start training at the University of Florida this month and depart for the year-long fellowship in August.
She’ll begin her language studies at the State University of Zanzibar living with a host family and strike out on her own for a second semester at the University of Dar es Salaam, where she will continue her language studies and assist urban refugees as a volunteer with Lutheran World Relief, a sustainable development nonprofit.
Additionally, since funding for the Boren Fellowship is provided by the National Security Education Program, each fellow is required to sign on for a one-year service agreement with a national security agency.
Ms. Sewall hopes to complete her service at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, where she interned during the spring semester or join the Foreign Service, following the completion of her graduate degree.
She received her acceptance letter for the fellowship in May to the delight of Laura C. Engel, assistant professor of international education and international affairs, and Joel Gomez, associate professor of educational leadership.
“Dr. Laura Engel and Dr. Joel Gomez have been profound in my growth professionally and personally while I have been at GW,” Ms. Sewall said. “They have pushed me, encouraged me and supported me in not only my application for the Boren Fellowship, but in all my endeavors here.”
Last fall, Ms. Sewall was a student in a course taught by Dr. Engel, who then served as the faculty supervisor for Ms. Sewall’s spring internship at the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
She happily provided a reference for Ms. Sewall’s fellowship application.
“I was thrilled to find out that Jennifer had won the Boren Fellowship. She is a motivated, bright and enthusiastic graduate student and will undoubtedly do very well,” Dr. Engel said.
According to Ms. Sewall, her biggest concern is being a good steward of the award and a great student of Swahili.
“I would like to leave with professional proficiency in Swahili and be able to conduct research in Swahili,” she said. “Also, I hope to make a difference in the lives of refugees I will be working with and take away lessons to use in my future career.”
Despite the effort and mountain of paperwork that comes with uprooting and moving to another country, Ms. Sewall is ready for the adventure.
What is she most looking forward to?
“Everything!” she said. “Just being back in the culture, to smell the sweetness that hangs in the air, and hear the lovely sounds of Swahili—it's music!”