Student selected from 1,500 entries for U.N. essay contest

English major Lauren Klein has been chosen from among 1,500 students from 128 countries as an honoree in the United Nations “Many Languages One World” contest.

Klein, who is in her fourth semester of Russian classes, was selected in the category “Russian Language.” She is one of 60 finalists who will represent each of the six official languages of the United Nations – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

In her essay, Klein candidly spoke how tragic events from the past made “everything Russian” unwelcome in her family’s presence. Yet, her resolution to study Russian language and culture was firm. For the work, she asked a question related to global citizenship and understanding of other cultures: “As languages once made her life full and inspired, could the world change for the better if all people learn foreign languages and open themselves to other cultures?”

As a winner, Klein will participate in the five-day “Many Languages, One World Global Youth Forum” in New York and present her work at the United Nations headquarters on June 27. Klein’s academic mentor is Yuliya Baldwin, a lecturer in Russian in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies.