Three William & Mary students were awarded prestigious David L. Boren Scholarships to study foreign languages overseas with the support of the National Security Education Program (NSEP). Collin Absher ’24, Sam Rofman ’23 and Mira Wroblewski ’23 will receive funding to study abroad in the coming year.
Boren Scholarships are administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and awarded to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to acquire language skills and experience in countries critical to the future security and stability of the United States, according to a press release from the IIE.
Absher, Rofman and Wroblewski were among the 208 undergraduate students nationwide awarded Boren Scholarships out of 458 applicants.
In exchange for funding, Boren recipients must agree to work in the federal government for at least one year following completion of their studies.
Absher, a Chinese studies and Asian & Pacific Islander American studies double major from Fredericksburg, Virginia, plans to study Chinese language and culture for six months at the National Taiwan University’s Intensive Chinese Language Program in Taipei, Taiwan.
He also plans to volunteer at the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, which is where he plans to complete a Freeman Fellowship this summer along with a Critical Language Scholarship. He plans to pursue international law at a Chinese institution after he graduates from William & Mary.
Rofman, a data science major from Haymarket, Virginia, plans to study Korean language, culture and literature for the 2022-23 academic year at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. She hopes to work in a national security capacity where she can use her research experience, STEM and foreign language skills and data analysis knowledge in support of national security after she graduates from W&M.
Wroblewski, an international relations major and Russian & Post-Soviet studies minor from Falls Church, Va., plans to take advanced Russian classes as well as area studies classes for the 2022-23 academic year in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She hopes to fulfill the Boren service requirement with the State Department or USAID then continue working in the realm of public service and diplomacy. She aspires to one day become a Foreign Service Officer.
Students interested in the Boren Scholarship should apply through or contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Staff, University News & Media