Uruba Niazi
- Cohort: 2007 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Government, 2011
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"I plan to use my fluency in Hindi and Urdu to expand my utility across borders. I want to be able to work in the Government in the US and if needed in South Asia."
What attracted you to HUF?
"The personal attention given to every student. The emphasis on students being culturally and linguistically knowledgeable."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"One on one attention from professors and TAs. Access to many resources not so easily found on campus. Attention to students needs. Grading on the basis of personal strength and effort rather than one standard."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"It is the language of the 2 countries I love and cherish. The countries have very rich cultures and access to them is mainly through these languages. South Asia is becoming more and more important in the global community and being able to speak the language increases your importance as a worker in the global market as well."
Grant Davis
- Cohort: 2008 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Asian Cultures and Languages, Hindi, 2012
- Hometown: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"My main interest in Hindi-Urdu is related to contemporary media, such as film and television. After finishing my undergraduate degree I plan to pursue further studies in the field of film and television production in India, perhaps at the Film and Television Institute of India. I think my fluency in Hindi-Urdu will be a major asset in the pursuit of this goal."
What attracted you to HUF?
"I was attracted to HUF because it is a program that allows students to pursue a wide range of disciplines, as well as a wide range of subjects within the focus of Hindi-Urdu. It is the only program of its kind. There are not any other undergraduate programs that allow students to study Hindi-Urdu in conjunction at such an intensive level. The year abroad was also a very attractive aspect of the program."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The program provides students with a unique learning environment through close proximity to renowned professors and many TA's, as well as access to great facilities such as the HUF Resource Center. HUF is a program where students can develop excellent language skills and are at the same time encouraged to find interesting ways in which to relate those skills to their passions and future goals."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"On a basic level, fluency in Hindi-Urdu is essential to the pursuit of my future goals. It also provides me with a deeper understanding and connection to an incredibly rich history and culture."
Leena Warsi
- Cohort: 2008 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Arabic Language and Literature, 2012
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"I plan on working as a journalist abroad and using Hindi-Urdu to interview people in their own language."
What attracted you to HUF?
"It is the only Flagship for Hindi and Urdu that I've heard of and it offers exactly what I want to study."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"It is a small community within a huge university where there is always someone to help you and answer your questions."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"I think that it will be helpful to my career in the future."
Sanjay Gulati
- Cohort: 2007 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BBA in Business Honors Program, BA in Finance, BA in Asian Cultures and Languages, 2011
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"I hope that my fluency in Hindi-Urdu will allow me to broaden my horizon from a global business perspective. It will allow me to do business in English speaking countries, as well as emerging markets such as India."
What attracted you to HUF?
"The exclusivity and prestige of HUF being the only government funded program of its kind in the nation was definitely a big pull-factor for me. In addition, I was also already interested learning what my parents dubbed "my mother language". HUF offered by far my best opportunity to do so."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The best aspect of HUF is definitely the program's willingness to work individually with students. From financial troubles to specific difficulties in learning the language, HUF provides unparalleled resources for its students."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"Fluency in Hindi-Urdu allows me to get in touch with my roots. I am able to speak more personally with my cousins in India and read many of my parents' invaluable books."
Chelsea Aldridge
- Cohort: 2007 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Biology, BA in Asian Cultures and Languages Hindi/Urdu, 2010
- Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"My first thought was that I would combine my interests in science and medicine with Hindi-Urdu by becoming a doctor and eventually working in India with Doctors Without Borders. If I decide not to attend medical school, I still am interested in working in a health-related field, with a concentration in India. I know that I want to use these languages the rest of my life."
What attracted you to HUF?
"Since I decided to begin learning Hindi-Urdu, I have been determined to attain fluency in both. When I learned about the rigorous study schedule that would be expected in the Flagship program, I knew that would work perfectly for me. I was also very attracted by the study abroad year in India, which I knew would help my language skills improve immensely, and also give me first-hand experiences in the country so that I could understand the ways of life there as much as possible."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The ability to form such close relationships with the students, professors, and TAs that it feels like a family. Also, the fact that there are so many resources that are readily available to us to aid us in our language learning; I took Spanish for four years before this, but in my past year and a half in this program, I have learned more Hindi-Urdu than I ever did of Spanish."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"I want to be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with people living in India, especially if my work will be focusing on their health and they do not know English. I feel that fluency in the language of a country is one of the best ways to be able to relate to its people and culture, which is one of my ultimate goals."
Sonali Brahmbhatt
- Cohort: 2008 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Economics, 2012
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"Possibly work for the CIA"
What attracted you to HUF?
N/A
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The Hindi Urdu Resource Center. I love going to HUF to watch movies or do homework. I also love the parties with food!"
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"It's my language, I should be a master at it!"
Ramu Kharel
- Cohort: 2007 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BS in Human Biology, 2011
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"I plan to join Doctors without Borders program and go to South Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal. That's where my fluency in Hindi and Urdu will come in use."
What attracted you to HUF?
"This is the only program that teaches two languages at one one time. "
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The small family-like environment at this big university is the best aspect of HUF."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"Fluency in Hindi-Urdu is important for me because a important part of my career is going to be based in India and Pakistan. "
Sofiya Merchant
- Cohort: 2007 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): Biology, 2011
- Hometown: Udaipur, India
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"With my fluency in Hindi-Urdu I hope to work for a health organization to help promote better healthcare in the villages of South Asia."
What attracted you to HUF?
"I grew up being exposed to both Hindi and Urdu so for me a program that offered both was very appealing. Plus some of the really fun and interesting classes that I've taken thus far are with HUF."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"You as an individual get that sense of community which progresses further than your freshman year because you are together with 7 or 8 other people who have the same ambitions as you."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"Fluency in these two languages is important for me because these languages personally define my culture and where I come from. If I lost fluency in these languages, it's kind of like I'm getting out of touch with my culture."
Isha Paul
- Cohort: 2008 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BBA in Marketing with Concentration in Pre-Medicine, 2012
- Hometown: Austin, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"My vision is to open a non-profit clinic in the rural, impoverished parts of South Asia. As a doctor, it's vital to understand the patient’s pains, and concerns. Fluency in Hindi-Urdu will help me accomplish this."
What attracted you to HUF?
"My love for my mother tongue, and also the fact that HUF helps build more than just linguistic skills. HUF helps students understand the cultural background of the language, and provide an interesting backdrop for studying the language."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The best aspect of being a part of HUF is the feeling of having a home, in a huge campus. The faculty and the staff try their hardest to help students with everything from academic counseling to financial aid questions. Just this makes it a great program. But, the structure of the program itself, with the language and cultural learning combined, makes this an excellent program."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"I belong to a part of the world where Hindi-Urdu is the spoken language. I feel closer to my roots in my study of this language. Good language skills are also a necessary part of being a medical doctor, my aspired profession."
Shan Khan
- Cohort: 2007 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in English, BA in Urdu 2009
- Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"I hope to to work in the fields of health care and public policy beyond any particular borders. Past the U.S. though, I'm especially interested in working in South Asia and that's where both these languages will be absolutely vital in gaining ground on health and policy issues."
What attracted you to HUF?
"The intensity of the program and the professors involved."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The people. Professors, classmates, TAs, administrators. Everyone in that building."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"Primarily the idea that fluency in these languages opens doors for communication with nearly a billion people worldwide. This stands as major motivation in acquiring proficiency in both Hindi and Urdu."
Nitash Hirani
- Cohort: 2008 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Business Finance, 2012
- Hometown: Austin, Texas
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"My goal is to join The World Bank. The fusion between my business major and my language skills would give me a niche for business development/management in South Asian countries."
What attracted you to HUF?
"In this meritocratic competitive business environment, the Hindi/Urdu Flagship program will provide an edge while at the same time connect me to my roots."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The Hindi/Urdu Flagship program provides a cosy home-like environment with one-on-one attention from helpful faculty."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"My parents have deep appreciation for Urdu poetry and this program would enable me to enjoy and cherish what they have to share with me."
Ashley Tadsen
- Cohort: 2008 Cohort
- Anticipated Degree(s): BA in Linguistics and South Asian Studies, 2011
- Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Career goals: What do you plan to do with your fluency in Hindi-Urdu?
"My ultimate career goal is to use my Hindi-Urdu knowledge to do social work in India."
What attracted you to HUF?
"HUF is so well-rounded, with every resource available to become fluent in Hindi and Urdu."
What's the best aspect of being in HUF?
"The best part of HUF is the support system in place to encourage us and help us do the best we can."
Why is fluency in Hindi-Urdu important to you?
"Becoming fluent in Hindi-Urdu is important to me not only because of my future career goals, but also in my personal life."
