Anna Batelli ’25 wins prestigious Gilman International Scholarship
Anna Batelli ’25 has been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to study abroad this summer.
Named in honor of the late New York congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, the scholarship supports undergraduates who might not otherwise participate in study abroad programs due to financial constraints, providing them with the opportunity to study languages and develop skills critical to national security and economic prosperity.
Batelli, a Slavic studies major from Oak Ridge, New Jersey, will study in Kyrgyzstan at the London School of Languages and Cultures in Bishkek through its School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS). She intends to major in history as well.
Her interest in Slavic languages can be traced back to her Polish maternal grandmother.
“She would often tell me stories of her childhood growing up on a farm as one of 12 children of Polish immigrants,” Batelli recalled. “Polish was her first language, but due to disuse later in life, she only remembers set words and phrases. She taught me what she could remember and encouraged me to dive deeper into my heritage.”
When the two women make pierogi together every year, Batelli’s grandmother often talks about what being Polish means to her.
“From these interactions, I began to realize the correlation between language and identity,” Batelli explained. “When matriculating into the College community, I knew that I wanted to pursue this field of study in a way that not only serves my interests, but also honors my grandmother and my heritage. For me and many others at Conn, Slavic studies is more than just Russian or Russian area studies.”
Batelli’s favorite class this semester is “Intermediate Russian” with Andrea Lanoux, the Elizabeth S. Kruidenier ’48 Professor of Slavic Studies at Conn, although Batelli says her “Second Language Acquisition” class with Petko Ivanov, chair of the Slavic Studies Department, was one of her favorite classes during the fall semester.
Lanoux and Associate Professor of History Eileen Kane have played large roles in her academic experience as well, Batelli said.
“As a Russian language student at Conn, I am often encouraged to explore Russian in every setting possible. Enhancing my Russian language skills in Kyrgyzstan will allow me to witness Russian diaspora, as well as the extent of Russian language and culture,” she said.
Batelli also believes that current geopolitical events mean it is critical to continue to study and understand Russian in a global context.
“Kyrgyzstan will also provide me with a new and unique worldview as I live and study in Central Asia,” she added.
Batelli said the application experience taught her to “always seek new opportunities.” When asked what she’s most excited about this summer, she said it’s hard to pick just one aspect.
“Ultimately, I cannot wait to get to use Russian in daily life and use the language with native speakers,” she said. “I am so excited to learn from the different people that I will meet and experience a new way of life. This opportunity is allowing me to speak with people on the other side of the world and learn from their lived experiences.”
Connecticut College offers a wide range of fellowship opportunities for students and recent graduates. For more information, visit The Walter Commons or email fellowships@conncoll.edu.
