Name: Miranda Kuzela
Majors: Global Studies, Russian, Spanish, and Political Science
Minors: National Security Studies, Human Rights & Humanitarian Affairs
Year at UNL: Junior
Hometown: Papillion, NE
Favorite book and why: Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher because it discusses one of the reasons why I love languages so much. It shows how different languages around the world oblige speakers to think in different ways; it explains why the world can look different in different languages.
Favorite move and why: There are way too many movies to choose from but I love A Quiet Place and O Brother Where Art Thou.
My study abroad experience this summer: I’m participating in American Council’s Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies program in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I take classes on grammar, history and foreign policy of Central Asia, reading and writing, phonetics, literature, Kazakh culture, and listening. I live with an amazing host family and my program also provides us with language partners. On almost every weekend I’ve been here I’ve gone hiking in the nearby mountains, and I’ve loved every single hike. Almaty has so many things to do so I’m never bored, and it was also interesting to try horse meat and horse milk here! Plus, the locals are so friendly that I’ve made great Kazakh friends who I can practice my Russian with. I would come back to this city in a heartbeat.
Recommendations: I highly recommend American Council’s study abroad programs. They really care about your language improvement and offer great support throughout the application process and while you’re abroad. If you need funding, I would definitely recommend applying to the Gilman or the Boren if you are eligible. The Critical Language Scholarship is also an amazing scholarship/program if you’re studying a critical language.
More details at: http://www.clscholarship.org/