ASU students receive Gilman Scholarship for study abroad
Thirteen Arizona State University students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the United States Department of State, to participate in a study abroad or international internship program during the summer 2013.
The Gilman Scholarship Program provides study abroad opportunities for university students in the U.S. who are receiving federal Pell Grant funds. Each student is awarded up to $5,000 to apply towards his or her study abroad program costs. Students who intend to study a critical need language can be eligible to receive a Critical Need Language Supplement of $3,000 for a total award of up to $8,000.
Award recipients are chosen by a competitive selection process and must use the award to defray study abroad costs, including program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance and international airfare.
Darice Harris, a senior majoring in Italian and a student at Barrett, The Honors College at ASU, will receive $4,000 to attend a language program in Castelraimondo, Italy.
“This scholarship is crucial in setting me up to fulfill my future goals,” Harris said, explaining that she envisions becoming an Italian interpreter for the U.S. Department of State.
Harris received assistance in applying for the scholarship from the Lorraine Frank Office of National Scholarship Advisement (LFONSA) housed at Barrett Honors College.
“It was absolutely essential that I got a lot of help and constructive feedback from the staff at LFONSA. It made the difference in my success. I feel very grateful for the one-on-one guidance,” she said.
In addition to Harris, 2013 Summer Gilman Scholarship recipients from ASU are:
Chancis Benjamin, a psychology and communications major, $2,500 for study in China
Morgan Brownlee, an English and Italian major, $2,500 for study in Italy
Jovi Burns, a biology and society major, $4,000 for study in Japan
Edlih Gallardo, a liberal studies major, $3,000 for study in Romania and Hungary
Jose Gomez, Jr., a global studies major, $1,000 for study in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Saul Holguin-De La Cruz, an anthropology major, $2,500 for study in India
Heather Ivery, a justice studies major, $8,000 for study in China
Brittany Laudermilk, a Chinese and marketing major, $3,000 for study in China.
Lilyanna Thompson, a global health major, $3,500 for study in Guatemala
Maxim Uskov, a psychology major, $3,000 for study in the Czech Republic
Benjamin Van Slate, a business global leadership major, $2,500 for study in the Czech Republic
Alycia Walsh, a biological sciences and global health major, $3,000 for study in India
The U.S. State Department’s Gilman Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go.
Since the establishment of the program by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, more than 13,000 students nationwide have received this prestigious award.
“Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment or another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be contributors, rather than spectators in the international community,” said Congressman Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee.
The program is administered by the Institute of International Education www.iie.org.gilman. Recipients of the scholarship have the opportunity to gain better understanding of other cultures, languages and economies – making them more prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.
“International education is one of the best tools for developing mutual understanding and building connections between people from different countries. It is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business, and the lasting ties that Americans make during their international studies are important to our country in times of conflict as well as times of peace,” said Allan Goodman, president and CEO of the Institute for International Education.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is one of many study abroad opportunities for which ASU students can apply. ASU students can study abroad through over 300 programs in more than 60 countries facilitated by the Study Abroad Office. More information on options is at http://studyabroad.asu.edu.