Gabriel Young of Bethesda, MD, Awarded Critical Language Scholarship

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Young, G.

ST. MARY'S CITY, MD (03/11/2013)(readMedia)-- St. Mary's College of Maryland senior and Bethesda, MD, native Gabriel Young is the recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship award, a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department that offers awards to undergraduates and graduates who are dedicated to learning a language deemed critical to U.S. strategic interests. This prestigious award will allow Young to study Arabic in Egypt or Jordan for one year. The scholarship, which accepts approximately 10% of applicants each year, pays for travel, housing, and language classes among other things.

Young is a history major, with a focus in Middle Eastern studies, at St. Mary's College. During his matriculation, Young studied Arabic at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.

"I am so excited to live abroad again," said Young. "You grow so rapidly when placed in such a radically different environment as the Middle East. I hope that the Critical Language Scholarship Program will help me professionally as I try to move forward in a career in Middle Eastern affairs and eventually apply for graduate programs in Middle Eastern history."

Young also shared gratitude toward his professors at St. Mary's College. "As a student, it really makes you excited and optimistic to know that you have such brilliant people invested in your success and rooting for you," he said.