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Rooted in FLAS: Safaa Turner-Rahman’s path to cultural rediscovery

August 22, 2024

For Safaa Turner-Rahman, a fourth-year undergraduate as an international studies major, receiving a Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) award signaled the start of a new, deeply personal chapter in her life. Through a FLAS fellowship (Academic Year 2023-2024) in Bangla from the South Asia Center, Turner-Rahman was given an opportunity to explore and reconnect with her Bangladeshi roots. 

“Bangladesh and the Bengali language have always held a special place in my heart,” Turner-Rahman said. “My mother’s deep connection to her culture, despite moving away at a young age, was something she passed on to me and my sister. Growing up, I was always intrigued by Bangladeshi culture and history, though my grasp of the language was limited.” Safaa Turner-Rahman

At the Jackson School, Turner-Rahman seized the opportunity to study South Asian history and language, which further fueled her passion for Bangladesh. According to Turner-Rahman, FLAS played a crucial role in expanding her focus from general interests in Bangladesh to a specialized study of Bangladeshi diplomacy. During autumn quarter 2023, she utilized this platform in a course on U.S. historical foreign policy, writing her final paper on U.S.-South Asia foreign policy during the Cold War.

“The award was a moment of personal pride that I was eager to share with my family,” Turner-Rahman said. “It represented not just a significant step in my academic journey, but also a meaningful connection to our heritage. Being able to show them how this recognition supports my efforts to better understand and appreciate our cultural roots was incredibly fulfilling.”

Turner-Rahman’s advice to the Jackson School community is simple: apply for FLAS. “For students focused on underrepresented areas, FLAS provides valuable support and resources, helping you immerse yourself in advanced language learning and regional studies,” she said. “It also enriches your academic profile and opens doors for future opportunities, making it a worthwhile investment in your educational and professional growth.”