U of A Graduate Anna Fielder Wins Critical Language Scholarship and Princeton in Asia

U of A graduating senior Anna Fielder has been awarded the highly competitive Critical Language Scholarship to study Russian in Kyrgyzstan this summer and Princeton in Asia to Kazakhstan in the 2026-27 academic year.

A public relations major and global and Russian studies minor, Fielder started studying Russian her freshman year at the U of A and got inspired to learn more about Eurasia through her courses and involvement with the Eurasian Club RSO. In her senior year, Fielder served as president of the RSO and worked tirelessly to attract more students to both the RSO and Russian Program courses.

Critical Language Scholarship recipients spend a summer studying languages deemed critical to national security and economic prosperity. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and is developed in partnership with host countries' local institutions.

Fielder will study advanced Russian during an intensive eight-week study program at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek. One of the most popular destinations for Russian study abroad, Kyrgyzstan boasts a unique culture and beautiful nature. Fielder hopes to not only to excel in language study, but also to make new friends and explore Kyrgyzstan's mountains and lakes through horse trekking, hiking and camping.

Fielder has also earned a Princeton in Asia fellowship to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where she will work as a Russian-speaking English fellow. Princeton in Asia fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations and communities.

"I will be teaching English at Narkhoz University in Almaty. I'm in the process of getting TEFL certified right now and will teach English as a second language while assisting in the international and global affairs office," Fielder said. The program starts in September and will allow Fielder to make a short trip back to home in California between her CLS language intensive in Bishkek and year-long project in Almaty.

Fielder was adopted from Semey, Kazakhstan, when she was 10 months old, but has not returned to the country until now. She hopes to visit her orphanage in Semey at some point during her year in Kazakhstan. Her older brother is quite interested in Central Asia's nomadic culture and hopes to visit, as well.

"When I was a baby, my mom was waiting at the dentist office when she met some Kazakh expats working for Chevron, who became close family friends," Fielder shared. "They are now in Almaty, so I am excited to reconnect with them."

The Russian Program and Eurasian RSO are very excited for Fielder and hope to connect through Zoom for a talk with current U of A students to learn more about her experiences studying and working in Central Asia. 

Submitted on behalf of Professor Alla Savelieva (allas@uark.edu).