Stephanie Downing

Major

Criminal Justice (B.S.)

Bio

After graduating this May with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Stephanie Downing was selected to receive a prestigious, fully-funded Critical Language Scholarship to study Hindi in Jaipur, India this summer.
 
The Critical Language Scholarship is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program offered by the U.S. Department of State to American students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. Award recipients spend eight to 10 weeks abroad, studying one of 15 critical languages that are necessary for national security and economic prosperity.
 
“I want to fully immerse myself in the language, one that is uncommonly taught in the U.S., yet it is an asset for the future of a global world and my career,” Downing said.
 
She looks forward to learning more about Indian culture firsthand, and teaching others about her Hawaiian upbringing. Her bucket list in India includes visiting the Taj Mahal as well as her former host family, and improving her dancing and drumming skills. She also had the opportunity to visit an Indian news station in Jaipur thanks to her host mother who is a local newscaster, and watch the evening news live from behind the cameras.
 
“I want to be present in every moment while I am in my program, both in and out of the classroom,” Downing added.
 
After returning from India, Downing will begin her job at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. As a student, she was involved on campus as a Global Scholar, member of the Honors Program and Student Ambassador. She also completed a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain, as well as two Global Classroom Series programs. We are lucky to have her serve as a Study Abroad Alumni Ambassador for the Center for Global Education at Marymount going forward!
 
Marymount University students interested in applying for the Critical Language Scholarship should visit the Center for Global Education to learn more about the program.