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STUDYING IN KAZAKHSTAN
photo: Courtesy of Anna SklenarAnna Sklenar
When Case Western Reserve sophomore Anna Sklenar travels to Kazakhstan in the spring on a prestigious David L. Boren Scholarship, she won't just study its language and cultures. She also will take mechanical engineering classes in Russian at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University to keep up with requirements for her major.
The blend of intensive language and engineering courses is a challenge the West Hartford, Conn., native sought. Sklenar is one of 16 Case Western Reserve students in the last 20 years who have won the scholarship, which is designed to encourage students to continue learning languages in countries critical to the future security and stability of the United States. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, books and other costs.
Sklenar first took Russian in high school after being selected for a State Department-sponsored language program, and since has had two additional academic experiences in Russia.
She hopes to work in the robotics or alternative energy industries. "While both my language and engineering skills are useful separately," Sklenar said, "I know together they will allow me to have a career I truly love."
