Natalie Mesplay Receives Prestigious U.S. Department of State “Critical Language Scholarship” to Study in South Korea

Natalie Mesplay, a University Honors Program student majoring in International Studies and History, has a knack for exploring the world. This may be the reason why early on in her undergraduate studies, Natalie chose to take two honors courses with an international bent: “World Regional Geography” and “Ancient World Myth and Reality.” As an Honors student, Natalie started her college experience by living on the 10th floor of the Theophilus Tower Honors Program residential community. By spring 2020, Natalie took a Model United Nations course, where she advanced to the program head delegate position. Before too long, Natalie added two education abroad opportunities in South Korea to her undergraduate experience. And now, by winning a nationally competitive “Critical Language Study” award from the U.S. Department of State, Natalie will return to South Korea to attend Chonnam National University in Gwangju. “Critical Language Studies” scholarships are given by the U.S. Department of State to outstanding American undergraduate students for summer study abroad.

Article by Emma Hofmaister, University Honors Program.

Photography by University of Idaho Creative Services.

Published April 2022.