Claire Sullivan

Before enrolling at the University of Mississippi, I came across numerous news articles and political analyses referring to this era as "Africa’s Century." It struck me that while other countries were deepening their engagement with Africa, the United States seemed to be falling behind in its diplomatic efforts.

With a natural interest in Africa, I decided to study this region. Initially, I enrolled in French classes  because it was the only African regional language offered at the time. However, during my junior year, the university introduced Swahili for the first time. I immediately signed up as I believed it was  important for me to learn a language indigenous to the region if I wanted to become an expert in it. Despite being a student who typically struggled with language learning, my amazing professors and  fellow students made it easy and enjoyable. After one semester, I fell in love with the Swahili language.

The program in Tanzania immersed me in the local culture like no other program I’ve been a part of before. One of my favorite memories occurred as I walked through my neighborhood in Arusha one day. As I passed the local motorcycle (pikipiki) taxi drivers who hung out in my neighborhood, an  elderly woman greeted me in Kimaasai, the language of local Maasai community. When I responded with the proper greeting for an elder in Kimaasai, the taxi drivers erupted in laughter and surprise, shocked that I knew some of the language. I turned and saw the elderly woman smiling at me as well. It was such a rewarding moment for myself. It symbolized how deeply I had immersed myself—not only in learning Swahili but also engaging with the nuances of another regional language.

My time studying abroad in France was equally enriching but for a different reason. It allowed me to explore my interest in welfare state policy. By using my French language skills, I spoke with citizens to better understand housing policies in France. These conversations provided valuable insights that later informed my thesis, which compared public housing policies in France and the United States.

After graduating, I knew I wanted to become a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, but I also understood the path would not be straightforward. I took on various roles to explore other international relations fields in case my primary goal didn’t pan out. First, I worked in international development, supporting USAID projects in Nigeria and the Philippines. While I enjoyed collaborating with colleagues across the globe, the administrative nature of the work felt unfulfilling. At the suggestion of a mentor, I transitioned to a role as a geopolitical analyst in the financial sector. This position leveraged my research and analytical skills, but it didn’t align with my core interests in Africa or diplomacy. 

After 3 years of working, my life changed when I received the Pickering Fellowship. I’m now attending Georgetown University’s Masters of Science in Foreign Service program as a U.S. Department of State Pickering Fellow. After graduation, I will become a Foreign Service Officer stationed in embassies across the globe as I work to promote U.S. foreign policy goals. This opportunity is truly a dream come true, and I firmly believe my proficiency in critical languages like Swahili and French played a vital role in securing the fellowship. As a Foreign Service Officers, I hope to use my language skills and experiences working in cross-cultural spaces to foster genuine relations between the U.S. and Africa region. I am deeply committed to reversing the historic underrepresentation of this region in American foreign policy.

Language learning is more than memorizing vocabulary and grammar—it’s a gateway to understanding a culture. By immersing yourself in the language, you unlock the ability to build authentic connections with others and engage with the world on a deeper level.