In 2018, five Bowdoin College students with majors in one of the STEM fields studied abroad through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Bowdoin College, located in Brunswick, Maine, was recognized for “outstanding engagement with the Gilman scholarship in the area of greatest growth for STEM students” in the Gilman Scholarship’s 2017-2018 Greatest Growth category.
Too many STEM students do not think study abroad can be part of their demanding curriculum. Historically, STEM students have studied abroad less frequently than students pursuing the humanities or social sciences, according to Christine Wintersteen, who directs Bowdoin’s office of international programs and off-campus study. Through the Gilman Scholarship, the scholars have equitable experience abroad by having the freedom to explore more cultural opportunities that may cost money. One of the Scholars, Simone Rumph ’19 who pursued biochemistry at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in Fall 2017 describes her study abroad experience as “transformative”. During her study abroad in Scotland, Rumph was able to take courses not offered at Bowdoin College which opened new options in her career path.
Read more here about the STEM students’ study abroad experience.
