Students Embrace African Languages and Cultures through FLAS
At Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, students are starting life-changing journeys, mastering African languages and immersing themselves in cultures – all while receiving funding for their studies. Over one billion people live in Africa, making it the second-largest and second-most-populous continent on the planet, accounting for 20% of the Earth’s total landmass. African countries are emerging as significant players in world politics, economics, global health, environmental studies, international relations, and business.
The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship program, offered through Pardee’s African Studies Center (ASC), is opening doors for students across disciplines. The ASC is one of the oldest and best-regarded centers of its kind in the U.S., with language study as a central pillar. The Center’s FLAS program, supported by the U.S. Department of Education, enables the ASC to fund select undergraduate and graduate students who commit to both language and regional studies. As Andre Batchelder-Schwab, a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics, notes, “As a graduate student, the finances are absolutely worth it. It also becomes much easier to get other funding. I’ve had a much easier time than my colleagues in securing funding for projects in Africa.”
Banel Cisse, BA IR ’26, a summer FLAS fellow whose fellowship supported travel, found the opportunity too good to pass up. “It’s literally a free trip to go to Senegal, ” she explains. “I thought, ‘Okay, I’m totally down. How do I sign up?’”
The program’s impact goes far beyond just free travel. Coumba Konate, CAS ’26, who studied Wolof, shares her aspirations: “I’m really now trying to hone my skills in Wolof in order to go back to Senegal and help the women there. My goal is to equip women, men, and children, but mainly women, with educational skill sets so they feel they have the adequate resources to do more than just what is socially expected.”
Many of the FLAS fellows were struck by the warmth and hospitality they experienced in their host countries. Cisse shares, “What was really surprising to me is the hospitality in Senegal, especially being that I’m not from this country. They were very welcoming.” Konate echoes this sentiment, adding, “If you greeted someone, they automatically greet you back, no matter where you are, who you are, where you’re from. You just say, ‘Salaam alaikum,’ and they’ll respond, ‘Malikum salaam.’ It’s custom for Senegalese to not only greet you but also to ask you how your family is, even if they don’t know you.” These experiences of genuine warmth and cultural exchange deeply enriched the students’ language learning journey.
Jacob Rivelli, a graduate FLAS fellow studying Igbo, sees the program as crucial to his future career: “Ultimately, I want to pursue a career in international development within West Africa, specifically Nigeria. Understanding Igbo language and culture will be essential to this goal.”
For Batchelder-Schwab, studying isiXhosa under Professor Zoliswa Mali, the FLAS experience has already opened professional doors. “I have a couple of offers to interview for positions in South Africa, entirely because of this program,” he reveals. “Professor Mali organized for us to lecture at five universities, which wouldn’t be possible here as a normal Ph.D. student.”
The immersive nature of the program transforms everyday moments into valuable learning experiences. Andre recounts, “Once, at a grocery store on a slow Monday afternoon, Professor Mali had me talk with a cashier for 45 minutes – that was class! It was challenging, but it really improved my proficiency and confidence.”
Even for those with family connections to Africa, FLAS offers new perspectives. Rivelli shares: “I’m Nigerian-American, but I grew up in a Yoruba-speaking family. Igbo language and culture are so important to the Nigerian experience, but I had little exposure to it. When I saw that Boston University offered the opportunity to learn the language, I knew I had to participate.”
The program’s influence extends across disciplines. Cisse, who plans to work in public health, explains: “I’m interested in public health, specifically in underdeveloped communities. I’m considering working for UNICEF in Senegal to help with maternal health initiatives.”
These experiences often lead to profound personal growth. Cisse reflects, “We spent much more time than the required hours because every waking moment became a learning opportunity. I felt my proficiency and confidence improve significantly.”
For Konate, the experience provided unexpected emotional connections: “One of my favorite moments was visiting Gorée Island, which played a significant role in the slave trade. It was eye-opening to learn about this history and connect with another aspect of my culture.”
The FLAS program not only provides academic and career benefits but also fosters a deep appreciation for cultural exchange. As Konate enthusiastically puts it: “I always encourage everyone to apply to the FLAS program because it’s an experience you will never forget.”
Perhaps Cisse best captures the essence of the FLAS experience with her reflection: “I feel like whatever I didn’t learn in the classroom, I was able to learn outside of the classroom because the classroom was more academic, but outside of the classroom was more informal. They weren’t sugar-coating a lot of stuff compared to what my teacher would sugarcoat.”
As these students’ stories demonstrate, the FLAS Fellowship program at BU’s Pardee School is more than just a scholarship – it’s a gateway to enriching experiences, career opportunities, and a deeper understanding of our interconnected world. Through the power of language and cultural immersion, these students are not just preparing for their futures; they’re actively shaping a more globally aware and connected society.
Banel Cisse encapsulates why she’d encourage any student to participate: “I always try to push everyone to apply to the FLAS program because it’s an experience that you will literally never forget. And it’s free! This is an opportunity to go to a country like Senegal, Ethiopia, or Ghana – wherever the language you’re studying is spoken. You can experience the culture not only with your classmates but also with new people you meet. What are we waiting for?”