Nelson Cleveland

1. Please state your full name, your home university and area of study?
Nelson R Cleveland, University of Mississippi; Arabic and International Studies
2. Why study Arabic?
I chose to study Arabic because of the language’s global prominence, scholarship opportunities, and future employment.
3. Why participate in the Flagship program?
The Flagship program offered a unique and rigorous language learning structure that made learning a critical language feasible through ‘Arabic only’ classroom settings and one-on-one domain mentoring. Additionally, the Flagship program provided funding for critical study abroad experiences that helped immerse me in the Arab language and culture.
4. What are you looking forward to the most during your Capstone year in Meknes?
I am most looking forward to becoming immersed in Moroccan culture and deepening my knowledge and skill in Arabic while at the same time getting to know the other Flagship students from across the country.
5. What are your future goals and how does this experience fit in to them?
My goal following completion of the Flagship program is to begin my military service in the U.S. Army either taking shape through commissioning the following winter, or a deferment from service in order to pursue a law degree.
6. What advice would you give to future Flagship students?
Continue with the program, no matter what! The language learning process is slow, not necessarily linear, and daunting but at the end of the day is extremely rewarding.
7. Share something fun and interesting about yourself.
My favorite hobbies outside of school are working out, cooking, and running.