TAYLAR TRAVELS TO TAJIKISTAN
By: Claire Dickison, Editor
Senior Taylar Martin will once again travel across the country to broaden her education. After being chosen into a select group of ten individuals by the US Department of State, Martin earned the opportunity of a lifetime to study in Dushanbe, Tajikistan with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program.
Martin applied for this opportunity along with hundreds of other students across the country in November 2014. The goal of this program is for recent-graduates to learn less-commonly taught languages while overseas. Martin earned a full scholarship for this program, meaning all charges will be paid for. The program includes host family stays, in-class language instruction, cultural presentations, volunteer work and other activities.
While in Tajikistan, Martin will stay in a resort for one half of the summer and with a host family for the rest of the time. She will study the Tajiki language for five hours, five days per week focusing on four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. “Because I already speak Chinese, I really want to study other languages too,” said Martin.
During her junior year of high school, Martin lived in Taiwan as an exchange student through the Rotary program. In Taiwan, she went to school just like every other kid. “School in Taiwan is a lot different than in the US,” said Martin. School days lasted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not only were the days long, but so were the weeks- students attended school on Saturdays.
“My experience in Taiwan will definitely help me in my studies in Tajikistan,” explained Martin. Last year, she took Chinese class for five hours each day. Martin feels that she is prepared to learn Tajiki, because she knows many techniques to picking up a new language.
Martin plans to attend college at American University in the fall of 2015. Her experience in foreign countries will aid her in the study of international business and political science.
Martin says: “For anyone who is interested in foreign exchange or traveling, just get out there and do it. I met some of the best people while overseas, and I don’t regret any of my time spent there.”
Senior Taylar Martin will once again travel across the country to broaden her education. After being chosen into a select group of ten individuals by the US Department of State, Martin earned the opportunity of a lifetime to study in Dushanbe, Tajikistan with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program.
Martin applied for this opportunity along with hundreds of other students across the country in November 2014. The goal of this program is for recent-graduates to learn less-commonly taught languages while overseas. Martin earned a full scholarship for this program, meaning all charges will be paid for. The program includes host family stays, in-class language instruction, cultural presentations, volunteer work and other activities.
While in Tajikistan, Martin will stay in a resort for one half of the summer and with a host family for the rest of the time. She will study the Tajiki language for five hours, five days per week focusing on four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. “Because I already speak Chinese, I really want to study other languages too,” said Martin.
During her junior year of high school, Martin lived in Taiwan as an exchange student through the Rotary program. In Taiwan, she went to school just like every other kid. “School in Taiwan is a lot different than in the US,” said Martin. School days lasted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not only were the days long, but so were the weeks- students attended school on Saturdays.
“My experience in Taiwan will definitely help me in my studies in Tajikistan,” explained Martin. Last year, she took Chinese class for five hours each day. Martin feels that she is prepared to learn Tajiki, because she knows many techniques to picking up a new language.
Martin plans to attend college at American University in the fall of 2015. Her experience in foreign countries will aid her in the study of international business and political science.
Martin says: “For anyone who is interested in foreign exchange or traveling, just get out there and do it. I met some of the best people while overseas, and I don’t regret any of my time spent there.”