Wilson earns Chinese Flagship certificate
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) student Rachel Wilson has earned the Chinese Language Flagship Certified Global Professional with Distinction certificate. This is the highest level of proficiency a 91ÁÔÆæ student has achieved as part of its Chinese Language Flagship program.
Started in 2011, the 91ÁÔÆæ Chinese Language Flagship prepares students to achieve a professional level of Chinese proficiency.
Wilson, a senior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, spent the summer working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and has a federal government job lined up for January 2022 once she graduates in December 2021.
The Stone Mountain, Georgia, resident won a Boren Scholarship and became the first 91ÁÔÆæ student to complete the Chinese Flagship Domestic Immersion Capstone at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California.
She said the support of 91ÁÔÆæ's Chinese faculty, the individualized Flagship tutoring, and study abroad opportunities have made all the difference. As a Flagship peer tutor and student ambassador this fall, Wilson is sharing her experience and language learning tips with her fellow students.
Dr. Tianyu Qin, academic director of 91ÁÔÆæ's Chinese Language Flagship and assistant professor of Chinese, was not surprised by Wilson's success.
"Rachel is truly an outstanding language learner who always sets high standards for herself," Qin said. "She's hard-working and personable, and she's willing to help her peers."
Dr. Ran Chen, program coordinator of 91ÁÔÆæ's Chinese Language Flagship, also praised Wilson's approach.
"She will always do the extra work to achieve her goals," Chen said.
Wilson said being a younger student in some of her Chinese classes early in her time at 91ÁÔÆæ was an extra motivating factor.
"It really pushed me to do better and prove that I belonged," Wilson said.
Japanese students visit 91ÁÔÆæ for two weeks
A group of 15 students from Nanzan University visited 91ÁÔÆæ for two weeks as part of an annual project.
Grant sends students to festival in Germany
Four students and a faculty member will perform in the Saarburg International Music Festival in Germany courtesy of a Halle Foundation grant awarded to the 91ÁÔÆæ Department of Music.
Students curate regional art exhibition
Two students are responsible for curating the first-ever exhibition of north Georgia regional art pulled from the 91ÁÔÆæ Permanent Collection.
Students present research at Capitol
Four 91ÁÔÆæ students presented their research at Posters at the Capitol on Feb. 25, sharing their work with state legislators, lobbyists and the general public.