Maggie Simmons

Ever since she arrived at the University of North Georgia (UNG), Maggie Simmons has diligently studied the language and culture of her birth country, China.

"A majority of high schools didn't offer Chinese language classes, but I finally learned it through dual-enrollment courses," said the 20-year-old from Snellville, Georgia. She said she was adopted from Hubei Province in China at 13 months old. "I decided to major in it at college, because I wanted to embrace my heritage."

Her concentration on the language and culture led her to enroll in UNG's Chinese Language Flagship. The program allows students to learn Chinese for four years at UNG and then spend a capstone year in Taiwan or China to give them language and cultural training through classes and an internship.

Simmons sought out opportunities to fund a study abroad. Her efforts proved successful.

For two consecutive years, Simmons was named an alternate for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS). The highly competitive national program funds American undergraduate and graduate students to complete intensive language study abroad in the summer.

In spring 2021, Simmons earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The program enables students who are eligible for the Pell grant to study or intern abroad for at least three weeks and gain skills critical to national security and economic competitiveness.

The junior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals is excited about studying in Taiwan in summer 2021.

"I want to improve my Chinese language skills and gain experience abroad," she said. "And I think it would be fun to see my birthplace, experience my heritage and embrace my cultural heritage."

Her trip will fulfill one of the requirements in her major, but it will also accomplish her lifelong goal.

"I've always wanted to return to the place I was born, but finances prevented me," she said. "Now, with the Gilman scholarship, it is possible."

Simmons believes others should apply for scholarships like the Gilman and CLS and work on the essays as far in advance as possible.

"Start working on essays early to have more time for editing," she said. "Don't give up on the essays or decide not to apply for scholarships. Even if you do not win the scholarship, the process can help for future scholarship essays. Eventually, you will succeed."