Three UC College of Medicine students awarded prestigious Critical Language Scholarship

Clara Kelley is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in medical sciences. As a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship, she will travel to India this summer to study Hindi. For Kelley, the opportunity to immerse herself in a new culture and language is deeply connected to both her personal passions and professional aspirations.

“I was originally motivated to apply for CLS because of my love of other cultures and my desire to become bilingual,” Kelley shared. “I found that immersion was the most effective way for me to learn a language, and I wanted to grow both personally and professionally through the experience of living abroad.”

As a future physician assistant, Kelley is especially interested in cultural humility and communication in patient care — values she sees at the heart of the CLS experience.

“A huge part of good patient care is being able to communicate with your patient directly,” she said. “And beyond that, it’s about trust and cultural competence. Indians are the largest immigrant population in Cincinnati, so learning Hindi is one way I can better serve the community.”

Though she initially considered studying Mandarin as well, Kelley’s close ties to UC’s Indian student community guided her decision. She has attended cultural festivals and is a member of several Indian-affiliated campus organizations including UC Dhadak — the university’s nationally competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team.

“Dhadak is what really turned me to Hindi,” she explained. “Through dance and music, I became infatuated with the culture. CLS felt like a natural next step, blending my passions with my goals.”

This summer, Kelley looks forward to the people she will meet while abroad.

“I’m most excited to meet my host family. In India, family is everything, and I can’t wait to feel part of that closeness," she said. "I’m also excited to bond with my classmates and teachers. I’m a social person, and I think these relationships will make the experience unforgettable.”

Looking ahead, Kelley hopes other students will take a leap and apply for competitive scholarships like CLS.

“Do it,” she urged. “There’s no harm in applying. And don’t wait — reach out to the UC Office of Nationally Competitive Awards early. Their guidance is invaluable, and starting early gives you the edge you need.”

As Kelley prepares to immerse herself in the Hindi language and Indian culture, she is also paving the way to becoming a health care provider who listens, understands and connects — across cultures and languages.

Jay Patel is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in medical sciences. Patel is a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship to study Hindi in India this summer.  

For Patel, who is also minoring in public health, the scholarship marks a key step in a journey rooted in service and impact. His work with the Dahyabhai Foundation, an organization he founded to improve the well-being of rural communities in India, sparked his decision to apply.

“Starting the foundation, the goal was to create real, tangible and sustainable improvements to rural communities,” said Patel. “But I realized that my lack of Hindi proficiency was holding me back from building deeper partnerships in the region. By improving my language skills, I’ll be better equipped to collaborate with communities and implement meaningful, culturally grounded programs.”

The CLS Program is an immersive, intensive language and cultural experience. Scholars, including Patel, spend eight to ten weeks abroad, not only studying their target language but also building relationships and gaining hands-on insight into the local culture. Patel will be based in Jaipur, where he’s especially looking forward to connecting with fellow scholars and exploring the city’s rich history through excursions organized by CLS.

As he prepares for the next phase of his journey, Patel is thinking ahead to how this experience will inform his long-term goals in medicine and public health.

“I plan to attend medical school and ultimately pursue a career in global health and international development,” he explained. “Through the CLS program, I’ll strengthen my Hindi and deepen my understanding of the region I hope to serve. Whether through the nonprofit or governmental sector, I want to be in a position to drive health access across the Indian subcontinent.”

Patel encourages other UC students to pursue opportunities like CLS, even if they seem out of reach.

“The competitive nature of these programs can be daunting, and no one — myself included — ever feels certain they’ll win," he said. "But if you’re curious about another language, culture or way of life, just go for it. These programs open doors in ways you can’t anticipate.”

As he embarks on this transformative summer in India, Patel carries with him a vision for a healthier world — and the passion to help build it.

Rosie Davis is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in public health with a double major in French. As a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship, she will study Swahili this summer.

Davis will travel to Tanzania for her program, where she’ll be fully immersed in the Swahili language and local culture.

“For a long time, I’ve been interested in expanding my language knowledge,” Davis shared. “As someone who is pursuing a degree in French, I’ve seen how much easier it is to connect with people when you can speak their language.”

She first discovered the CLS Program through the University Honors Program and UC’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards during her freshman year. As she considered how to build on her language skills and future career goals, Swahili stood out.

“Since a large portion of Africa’s population speaks French, a language I already knew, I felt that Swahili would truly open the opportunities I could pursue within the continent,” she said.

Davis is especially excited about the chance to immerse herself in the Tanzanian culture.

“I look forward to meeting new people, learning different customs, eating new foods and learning a brand-new language,” she said. “I’ve traveled to many places, but never for this long, so I’m excited for the challenge and growth that full immersion will bring.”

Looking ahead, Davis plans to apply her language skills directly to her public health work.

“This scholarship will allow me to conduct global public health work in the future,” she explained. “Knowledge of Swahili will allow me to work with African governments, the African Union, NGOs and local communities. Combined with my French, I’ll be able to communicate with a large portion of the African population.”

Davis also hopes her experience encourages other UC students to take a chance and apply for nationally competitive scholarships like CLS.

“My main advice is if you’re thinking about applying, just do it. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it the first time,” she said. “It takes courage to apply, and even trying is something to be proud of. And lean on the team at UC’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards — they’ll guide you every step of the way.”

As she prepares to depart for Tanzania, Davis is ready to embrace the adventure ahead, equipped with curiosity, cultural humility and a clear vision for how this experience will shape her future in public health.