Seven Students Receive Gilman Scholarship

Education Abroad, with the Office of International Programs, congratulates and is proud to announce the recent recipients of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Award. The Gilman Scholarship is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State and offers underrepresented students opportunities to study or intern abroad. In providing more equitable opportunities for transformative education abroad experiences, the scholarship also provides recipients with skills that are critical to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity.

Seven UNC Charlotte undergraduate students were awarded a Gilman Scholarship to study abroad last academic year. Students are eligible to apply up to a year in advance for study abroad programs. Recipients were awarded up to $6,000 in funding to defray costs for their study abroad experience and assist them in gaining the necessary skills to become proficient in diverse languages, cultures, skills that are vital to their academic and career development. With over 12,000 annual applicants and a selection rate of fourteen percent, the Gilman scholarship is a prestigious award given to a limited number of students each cycle.

The rigorous application requires prospective recipients to submit a statement of purpose and two community impact essays describing how they will build mutual understanding by sharing what it means to be an American, learning about their host culture, and building meaningful relationships abroad. Applicants also submit a service project proposal designed to increase awareness of study abroad and the Gilman Scholarship in their home or campus community.

UNC Charlotte’s cohort of awardees from the October 2021 cycle pursued a range of programs in a variety of destinations. Gracen Morris, double majoring in International Studies and Political Science, was awarded a scholarship to study at Sogang University in South Korea for Spring 2022. Nylah Mayo, majoring in Psychology, was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Ghana for Spring 2022. Cheikh Gueye, pursuing Business Administration, received an award for France and undertook a virtual study abroad program with the American Business School in Paris for Spring 2022. We welcome them back to campus for the fall semester after their experiences abroad! Delaney Nunez, majoring in Business Administration, received an award to study at Yonsei University in South Korea and is currently abroad for Fall 2022.

In addition, three awardees were unable to accept their scholarships due to unforeseen COVID-19 travel restrictions and regulations, border closings, and travel advisories during the spring term. Joshua Mason, majoring in Health Systems Management, was awarded a scholarship to study abroad in Colombia. Zalia Martorana, majoring in International Studies, received an award for Japan. Dannie Williams, majoring in Japanese Studies, was also awarded funds for Japan.

The Office of International Programs and Education Abroad once again congratulates all of the Gilman scholarship recipients and their continued dedication to pursue their dreams and goals to learn about different cultures, languages, and people. The Gilman Scholarship Program s now accepting application for the October 2022 cyle. Education Abroad is hosting workshops for eligible students. For more information on how to apply to future Gilman scholarships please visit the Education Abroad website.

Q&A WITH OUR RECIPIENTS

Meet a few of our Gilman recipients from the October 2021 Gilman Scholarship cycle!

Nylah Mayo

1. Why do you want to study abroad? What do you hope to gain from the experience? I chose to study abroad because I wanted to experience what it would be like living in another country not just from a vacation viewpoint. From this experience I hope to advance my interpersonal skills.
2. What are you looking forward to the most in your program and/or host country? I am super excited to dive into the educational side of studying abroad. Personally, gaining knowledge on Ghanaians perspective and employment on the use [of] psychology is really interesting to me. I am also looking forward to meeting new people and making lasting relationships.
3. What advice would you give other students applying for the Gilman Scholarship? Advice that I would give to other students applying for the Gilman would be to be honest about why you want to study abroad. There are so many applicants and so many destinations but there is only one you. Your truth will set you apart.
4. Is there anything else you would like to share? I am having the best time in Ghana. For all the girls looking to study abroad and people tell you to pack light (clothing wise), don’t listen to them! 🙂

   (Responses submitted during her time abroad)

Gracen Morris

1. Why do you want to study abroad? What do you hope to gain from the experience? I’ve always wanted to study abroad even before going to college because I wanted to be totally emerged in a new culture. While the thought of major culture shock was daunting I knew that I would personally feel accomplished and would learn so much if I studied in a country that was so unlike my own. I hope to gain a new perspective on various things whether that be in my own life or in the world around me.
2. What are you looking forward to the most in your program and/or host country? I am looking forward to just about everything. I’m most excited to learn more about South Korean culture, history, and the people. I also can’t wait to take some interesting classes and be able to meet other students.
3. What advice would you give other students applying for the Gilman Scholarship? My advice would be to make sure that your essays truly stand out and to have multiple people proof read them. There are so many reasons to study abroad so make sure that you thoroughly explain what it would mean to you to study abroad in that particular country no matter how small the detail.