Class of 2025: Samantha Boyer delays her diploma to push her limits in Tajikistan

When most anyone about to graduate with three bachelor’s degrees and a job offer would be celebrating their accomplishments, Samantha Boyer is packing her bags for Tajikistan.

Boyer, who is completing degrees in Russian, international relations, and national security and foreign affairs is choosing an unconventional path. Instead of finishing everything this spring, she’s delaying one of her diplomas to spend nine weeks in Tajikistan learning her third language through the highly competitive Critical Language Scholarship program.

“I realized many people don’t know a lot about Central Asia — and if those people are our government leaders, they could make decisions that are not appropriate or effective,” Boyer said. “I could be a positive influence in those situations by learning everything I can about the region and becoming an expert.”

From internship to immersion

Boyer’s interest in Central Asia intensified during a seven-month internship as an analyst focused on the region. Even while managing the full-time internship and her coursework, she began teaching herself Persian.

“Some people are scared of getting into a niche — they want to be able to fit into any role. But I think homing in is what makes you unique,” she said. “In a few years, I could become an expert on Central Asia — a go-to source.”

Her goal: become a more effective and employable public servant. She never expected her self-directed language learning to take her from online lessons all the way to living with a host family in Tajikistan. 

Discovering the Critical Language Scholarship

Initially, Boyer only planned to study abroad again in a Russian-speaking country. But then she came across the Critical Language Scholarship program — a U.S. State Department initiative that offers fully funded study abroad opportunities for American students learning languages deemed critical to national security.

“When I saw Tajikistan on the website, I immediately thought, ‘I'm doing this,’” she said.

Although new to Persian, Boyer believes her prior experience abroad helped make her application stand out.

As a sophomore, she spent eight weeks in Latvia through the VT in Latvia program, living with a host family and taking intensive Russian language classes — a full immersion experience that pushed her beyond the classroom.

“I barely know any Persian. If you sent me tomorrow, I would not know enough to get by. But I have the skills to handle my lack of language,” she said. “I am used to rigorous travel, adjusting to a new environment without English, and living with a family I’ve never met before. Also, there are a number of Russian speakers in Tajikistan, so I will likely get to use my Russian while I am there, too.”

Boyer also credits Marielle Wijnands, a scholarship advisor with the Global Education Office, part of Outreach and International Affairs, with helping her polish her application. 

“I would not have gotten the scholarship if it wasn’t for Marielle,” Boyer said. “My first draft was rough, but she helped me focus my writing and tell my story. She coached me in using examples to reveal who I am and what I can bring to the program. It made a huge difference.”

Having been on the national panel for the  program, Wijnands’ advice is precise and well-informed. For Wijnands, though, to help a student prepare their scholarship application is far more than just essay polishing.

“Everyone at the Global Education Office works to make life-changing global experiences like Sammie’s possible for every Hokie. Part of my role is getting to help students dig deep and articulate their story in authentic and compelling ways,” Wijnands said. “I help students find their voice and tell their stories with confidence. I love guiding them through that process — watching them realize just how much they already bring to the table.”

Earning the scholarship solidified Boyer’s summer plans. Now, she’ll receive her Russian degree and begin her full-time job after her return. 

Why study abroad — again?

For Boyer, delaying her diploma is a small trade-off for the immersive experience ahead. Based on her time in Latvia, she knows just how transformational language learning abroad can be.

“I was so scared for so long to do things that felt uncomfortable,” she said. “But in Latvia, I realized how much growth happens when you’re willing to live in the discomfort and let it change you.” 

Before that trip, she struggled with conversational Russian despite doing well in class. “It was a roadblock I kept hitting,” she said. “But once I encouraged myself to just go for it, I realized how quickly I got past those barriers.”

Tajikistan will be an even steeper challenge — she knows far less of the language — but she’s ready to “just go for it” again. 

“Once you overcome something challenging, it can open so many more doors,” she said. “That’s why I wanted to do this again. I want to shock my system one more time with the intensity of language immersion and prove to myself that I can do it again.”