Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

“Through my education in France, I was able to learn about countless LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history and their impact on the world. The accepting and open culture of Europe also helped to show me that it’s okay to be me. I think that my study abroad experience helped me to fully embrace my LGBTQ+ identity and opened the doors for me to live authentically.”

“As a first-gen, low-income student who is a queer multicultura Latina, it was important for me to study abroad in order to explore the complexities of my unique identities. Before studying abroad, I didn’t proudly embrace anything about who I was – especially my queerness. It was this opportunity that allowed me to truly know myself and confidently express pride in all of my complexities.”

“Being gay, I was unaware of how my identity would affect my study abroad experience before departing. However, just as my study abroad experience made me feel like a global citizen, my time in Portugal reinforced my identity as a member of a global LGBTQ community.”

“As a member of the AAPI community, it was important to me how I represented my AAPI identity, as well as being proud of being raised in a global and inclusive community as an American. Studying abroad allowed me to contextualize real world affairs and put into perspective how my actions affect others.”

“I decided to spend a semester abroad in my parents’ country to learn more about my parents’ roots and make my Chinese heritage more fully my own. This perspective helped me to become more comfortable with my appearance and the language skills that I have to navigate China extensively. But no matter what country you end up choosing for your study abroad, just know that you will bring your unique American cultures and perspectives to life in your host country.”

“One piece of advice I would give to a community college student is to go for the opportunity with an open mind! Studying abroad changed how I experienced my community college by opening me up to more opportunities and resources that I did not realize were available!”

“One piece of advice I would like to give is do not be afraid to travel. Do not be afraid to be one of, if not the only, black person in a space. Yes, there are additional things we have to consider when traveling, but there is so much benefit and growth that comes from traveling to a location where you might be able to intertwine your life story with another.”

“It is imperative that black students continue to broaden our horizons because it opens doors not only for ourselves but for our community as a collective. My experience abroad taught me to appreciate who I am and reinforced the mindset that I bring value to any environment I am in.”

“Blackness is a global experience. People of Color make up the majority of the world population. The world is yours and you have the right to explore it! You will be surprised how welcoming others are to you. Engage in culture exchange and make sure you learn something.”

“As the great-grandson of sharecroppers and the son of parents who grew up in the Jim Crow South, while being born and raised in the city where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, my ancestors still overcame the odds. The mentality of overcoming obstacles was bred in me from a young age. Studying abroad was vital because it set the stage for my confidence. It was deeper than experiencing another country; at its loudest volume it communicated, the world is your oyster, too.”