Student Spotlight: Stephanie Chaga and Her Critical Language Experience
By Heather Wirick, Staff Writer
Stephanie Chaga (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
Stephanie Chaga ‘23 has had a unique college experience. As a student from Widener University who transferred at the height of the pandemic, this fall is only her second semester on campus. Despite this, she has become heavily involved on and off of campus with impressive study abroad and language experiences.
Chaga came to Gettysburg inspired by African humanitarian affairs, noticing that “international interception always happens too late.” As a political science major, she hopes to one day work in humanitarian relations, specifically with “anything with Sub-Saharan African affairs,” said Chaga.
During her junior year, Chaga took advantage of Gettysburg’s study abroad programs. In her semester abroad, she lived in a hostel in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. She spent her time abroad studying the 1994 genocide, gathering perspectives of perpetrators and victims alike.
Additionally, she interned with Lawyers of Hope, an organization that provides free legal services to less fortunate Rwandan people with a special interest in adoption and disability cases. With this experience now under her belt, it is no surprise that her interest in African language and humanitarian work grew.
Following this experience, on a whim, Chaga applied to the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program, a highly selective, intensive eight-week language course. She chose to study Swahili, the most popular language in Africa.
Each day, she was virtually exposed to culture, having conversations with all fluency levels- including a native “speaking buddy.” Naomi, who was Chaga’s partner, often discussed her own college experience.
“It was nice to hear all sides of her culture,” said Chaga, describing the experience as “incredible,” and feeling “really lucky in this experience” despite COVID restrictions.
A component of the CLS program Chaga completed is acceptance to a federal job related to a student’s respective critical language after the conclusion of the program. Chaga is currently considering what steps she would like to take after graduation.
Chaga is looking forward to a mission camp program in Tanzania, a “fully immersed” experience where she will continue her volunteer work in an entirely new manner. On this trip, she hopes to narrow down where she would like to serve and is determined to make a difference in these communities.
Chaga suggested that students who are interested in this program or want to study a new language should “just go for it.” She said, “take the opportunity to study abroad, learn about yourself while you’re out of your comfort zone.”
