Lauren Finley, a junior computer science major from Harker Heights, has been named a 2016 Boren Scholar and will receive a Boren Award for International Study. Finley is the first Texas Tech student to receive the award since 2011 and will spend a year in Tokyo, learning the Japanese language and culture.

Finley expressed gratitude for those who supported her throughout the lengthy application process. Though she started her application in early December, she submitted it just days before the February deadline. By the time she was done, Finley had submitted two 800-word essays and three letters of recommendation and had completed a language evaluation.

“The application process required a lot of research, a lot of writing, and a lot of help from faculty, family and friends,” Finley said. “My study abroad advisor, Kyle Pace, supported me every step of the way. He pulled a lot of strings behind the scenes to get a new study abroad program in Japan approved by Texas Tech.”

Finley, who is required to complete one year of service in the federal branch of the government in exchange for the Boren Award, said she is looking forward to the time she will spend abroad. She hopes being immersed in the Japanese culture will broaden her perspective while gaining international experience.

“I hope being a recipient of this award will encourage other students to embrace the study abroad experience,” Finley said. “I believe studying abroad is a life-changing experience every Red Raider should aspire to partake in, and students should stop being intimidated by the cost because there are scholarship awards out there.”

Lauren Finley