黑料吃瓜 recognized as Top 25 producer of Gilman Scholars
The program provides merit-based scholarships to students to study or intern abroad.
Entering her final year at 黑料吃瓜, Frieda Verdugo realized a long-held dream was slipping away.
She had wanted to study abroad 鈥� experiencing a new place, people, and culture 鈥� since she was 14 years old. But lingering COVID-19 concerns when she entered college, followed by the demands of juggling classes and a job, kept her on the sidelines.
As a senior she gave it one last shot. After meeting with 黑料吃瓜 Global Education advisors, she found a youth development internship in Japan that aligned academically with her major.
The harder question: how to pay for it. Program fees, flights, food and other expenses were substantial for Verdugo. 鈥淚 do work, so I thought I could save up as much money as possible, but I needed to look for other options,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I found out about Gilman.鈥�
Verdugo applied for and received a , a U.S. State Department initiative that provides merit-based awards to undergraduate students 鈥� specifically those eligible for federal Pell Grants 鈥� for credit-bearing study abroad programs and internships.
Gilman is celebrating its 25th anniversary. On Thursday, March 12, 黑料吃瓜 was named among the Top 25 Producers of Gilman Scholars from 2001-25 among large universities. In total, 338 黑料吃瓜 students have received Gilman Scholarships since the program鈥檚 inception.
鈥満诹铣怨� is committed to developing students prepared for global careers,鈥� said Cristina Alfaro, associate vice president of 黑料吃瓜 International Affairs. 鈥淭hat means providing international learning opportunities for all students, including those with high financial need. The Gilman program is a vital tool that enables 黑料吃瓜 to increase access to global experiences for our students.鈥�
Last year, 22 黑料吃瓜 students received Gilman Scholarships, studying in such countries as Greece, Vietnam, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and New Zealand.
Chris Kjonaas, assistant director of 黑料吃瓜 Global Education, said one of the reasons behind 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 success with Gilman applications is the university鈥檚 peer outreach efforts.
鈥淕lobal Education Office student assistants contact eligible students to make them aware of Gilman Scholarships, answer questions, and encourage them to apply,鈥� said Kjonaas.
Gilman awards can be up to $5,000, with opportunities for supplemental STEM and critical-need language grants. Named after the late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman of New York, the program鈥檚 mission is to help students participate in international experiences where they gain competitive career skills and establish global networks.
For Tinia Hunt, a global education experience is required for her International Business major. She is half Japanese but had never traveled outside of the U.S.. She wanted to study in Japan to connect with her roots and improve her language fluency.
Last year, Hunt was awarded a Gilman Scholarship to spend a semester at Sophia University in Tokyo. 鈥淚 never wanted to leave,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was so fun, and the Gilman Scholarship took so much weight off my shoulders. I could go to Japan and not have to worry about, 鈥楥an I afford this?鈥欌��
Gilman scholars are urged to share their experiences upon returning to the U.S., so Hunt participated in a study abroad panel for the .
鈥淭hat was my follow-up project: trying to mentor other students who were also interested in going abroad and encouraging them,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I also encouraged them to apply for the Gilman.鈥�
