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Blazer wins Boren Award; Kim Everett will use the award to study in China

Posted on Jul 26, 2010 in News

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Kimberly Everett, a 20-year-old university honors student, has been awarded the National Security Education Program Boren scholarship for foreign study, which will allow her to complete a year long stay in China.

Everett plans to study Mandarin and economics at Beijing Language and Culture University and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, respectively.

Starting the trip in August, she will spend one semester at both universities.

Everett, a native of Mobile, is a junior economics major.

The Boren Award is granted to students that have an excellent academic background, communication skills and an interest in studying foreign cultures.

The scholarship provides up to $20,000 for students to study abroad in countries that are both underrepresented and important to U.S. interests.

The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, travel and housing.

Students travel all over the world including to Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East.

According to Everett, the fact that she even became aware of the scholarship all happened by chance.

“I learned about the scholarship from a flyer posted in the language department on a chance trip to find a snack machine before my Mandarin class,” Everett said.

Everett said she chose to study in China because of its growing economy and the impact that will have on the United States.

“I had a desire to study abroad and learn more about a country with major recent economic changes. I had heard about China frequently in the news and learned that the future of the United State’s economy would be greatly impacted by our relationship with China,” she said.

Aside from winning the Boren Award, Everett is also active on campus. She was the inaugural winner of the UHP’s Penguin award, a dean’s list honoree and has been a trailblazers and an ambassador.

After her year-long stay in China, Everett plans to return to UAB and finish her degree.

“After finishing at UAB, I hope to go on to complete a JD/PhD program in Economics and eventually work for the U.S. Department of State or maybe the World Bank. The path between here and there will be difficult, but I’m driven and enjoy a challenge,” she said.

Everett hopes her opportunity through the Boren Award will allow her to meet many people and help with her future career plans.

“Hopefully, my year abroad will give me the chance to meet so many new and interesting people,” said Everett.
“I would love to become fluent in Mandarin and use the experience as the foundation for my future career plans. I’m very excited and very fortunate to have this opportunity,” she added.

Although she is excited about living in China, Everett said she will miss her hometown and family.

“I think the thing I will miss most is the smell of my mom’s pancakes on Sunday morning and seeing my friends,” she said.

Dr. Mike Sloane, director of the honor’s program, said Everett stands out because of her enthusiasm and involvement.

“Her inquisitiveness and willingness to ask questions distinguishes her from others and she would be a great asset for the UAB community and the country,” Sloane said.

Everett believes the key to her success is her ability to ask for help and take initiative. She encourages her fellow students to do the same.

“Always follow your dreams and don’t let other people’s doubt hold you back. Talk to people who are where you want to be in life. I’ve found that most times people are willing to help, but you have to take the initiative to pursue what you really want.”

Email: sidharth@uab.edu