Gilman Alumnus Marcus Larrson (Rwanda & Uganda, 2019) is named Outstanding Senior at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Larson is the co-captain of the men’s basketball team, vice president of the Black Student Union, president of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honorary, a member of Phi Alpha Theta honorary, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative, and a resident assistant. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in international relations focusing on Africa.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Read more about Larrson’s accomplishments here.
Gilman Alumna Selected for Boren Awards
Gilman Alumna Sumar Beauti (United Kingdom, 2019) is selected as the University of Southern Mississippi’s first Boren Awards for International Study, a national award that provides funding for rigorous language study in world regions critical to U.S. interest. Beauti plans to study Arabic at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in hopes of becoming a physician-scientist collaborating with other countries to advance medical practices and close healthcare disparities in under-served communities all over the globe.
Read more about Beauti’s future plans here.
U.S. State Department and Education New Zealand Partnership Supports Gilman Scholars to New Zealand
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs is proud to continue its Gilman-Education New Zealand partnership. The Gilman-Education New Zealand Scholarship is a prestigious program for high-achieving U.S. students wishing to study in New Zealand. The Gilman-Education New Zealand Partnership was originally put into place in 2017 as the first government-to-government agreement in support of the Gilman Program. Through renewing this agreement, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is committing $250,000 over the next five years to support the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program’s scholars to study and/or intern for academic credit in New Zealand. This funding will be matched by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs which sponsors the Gilman Program worldwide.
View the press release here
Update on the Gilman Program in China
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is closely monitoring the spread of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus in China. ECA views the health and well-being of exchange participants as its top priority. While ECA has not yet made a determination on the longer-term status of the Gilman Program in China for this year, due to the country’s Level 4 Travel Advisory (“Do Not Travel”), Gilman Scholars scheduled to study abroad in China between now and the end of April 2020 are required to identify an alternate study abroad destination.
Given the quickly evolving nature of the health situation, we will continue to accept applications for China in the currently open application for programs that start between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. This application will close on March 3, 2020. In the event that a student is selected for the Gilman Program and China still has a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory, then the student would be required to change their program location. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves. Please feel free to contact the Gilman team at 1-800-852-2141, ext. 2 or gilmanadvisors@iie.orgwith any questions or concerns, or StudyAbroad@state.gov if you have questions regarding ECA’s other exchange programs for U.S. students. We also strongly encourage you to read the entire travel advisory for China, which includes important information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship Recipient to study Archeology in Prague
Kya Crocker, junior in anthropology at Kansas State University, received the inaugural Gilman-McCain Scholarship to study in the Czech Republic. As an undergraduate researcher, Crocker analyzed archaeological evidence — such as stone tools, hominid migration patterns, and geographic/geological evidence — to interpret how early the Philippines were occupied by early hominids about 700,000 years ago. She also is working on a secondary major in international studies and a minor in political science.
“Linguistics and culture are my main areas of interest and I will have plenty of opportunities to learn about the Czech language and culture,” Crocker said to Kansas State University News. “The rich history of Prague has enticed me since I am definitely a history buff. All in all, this program has every attribute that I could look for in a study abroad program, and I’m so excited.”
The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
Gilman Alumnus Receives Governor’s Citation
Gilman Alumnus Bryan Wood (South Korea, 2019) received the State of Maryland Governor’s Citation for his achievement and success as a Gilman Scholar!
“The Gilman Scholarship is life-changing. It has given me the chance to prepare for several academic and professional opportunities including applying for the Critical Language Scholarship Program and possibly working in education abroad. I enjoy learning languages and creative writing, and the pursuit of both has influenced my approach in obtaining opportunities like Gilman,” said Bryan Wood. “Overall, I am happy with my application essays for Gilman, but I am sure what ultimately earned me the scholarship was my target audience for my follow-on service project. My message to them was that as a transfer winning Gilman, I found a way to highlight the potential in following a more non-traditional path in education.”
Five Purdue University Students Receive Gilman Scholarships
Five Purdue University students are among the 1,413 recipients from 427 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
Read more here.
March 2020 Deadline Application Now Open
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is pleased to announce the March 2020 Deadline application opening for U.S. undergraduate students whose programs start between May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. This cycle encompasses Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Academic Year 2020-2021, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021 programs. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Learn more about deadlines and timelines here.
The Gilman Scholarship Program provides up to $5,000 (or $8,000 including the Critical Need Language Award) for undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and Federal Pell Grant recipients at two-year or four-year institutions.
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 and is also now available for child dependents of active-duty military personnel who receive any type of Title IV Federal Financial Aid to study or intern abroad.
Apply here!
12 Western Kentucky University Students Receive Gilman Scholarships
Twelve Western Kentucky University students are among the 1,413 recipients from 427 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
Read more here.
Gilman Alumni Among 2020 Pickering and Rangel Fellows
The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman International Scholarship Program is proud to announce that five Gilman Alumni have been selected as Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellows and seven Gilman Alumni have been selected as Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellows.
Pickering
- Autumn Herndon – Manhattan College, Panama, 2019
- Jin Kim – University of Rochester, China, 2018
- Elizabeth Pantaleon – University of Florida, Jordan, 2016
- Steve Vest – West Virginia University, France, 2017
- Donald Williams Dr. – Mercer University, Spain, 2018
Rangel
- Martha Amaya, France, 2018
- Shamarcus Doty, Jamaica, 2019
- Carolina Echeverri, Portugal, 2014
- Mary Frances Odukwe, Spain, 2019
- Elizabeth Pena, Jordan, 2018
- Rachel Tang, Thailand, 2017
- Rui Qi Angela Zheng, Morocco, 2019
The U.S. Department of State’s Pickering Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world. Fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers under applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, D.C. and at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe. Fellows also agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State’s Foreign Service. The five-year service commitment begins upon entry into the Foreign Service.
The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. The Rangel Program selects outstanding Rangel Fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities.
Many Gilman Scholars point to their experience with the Gilman Scholarship as a pivotal point in their lives, significantly impacting their academic and career goals. Gilman Alumnus and Pickering Fellow Jin Kim shared, “The Gilman Scholarship not only allowed me to study abroad in Shanghai, China but also allowed me into a community of global-minded Americans. This experience expanded my worldview and prepared me for the international expertise needed for the Pickering Fellowship!”
Gilman Alumna and Rangel Fellow Rachel Tang told us, “What being a Gilman Scholar meant to me was taking on the role of a citizen diplomat: I sought ways to engage in my community abroad while also representing the diversity of America. By attending panel discussions and volunteering at a local non-profit, I knew I was passionate about connecting with people of different backgrounds and learning about issues most pertinent to their country. After completing my semester abroad, I extended my stay into the summer to intern at the U.S. Consulate in Bangkok. My experiences at this internship solidified my decision to become a diplomat and, as a result, I pursued the Rangel Fellowship.”
Gilman Alumnus and Pickering Fellow Donald Williams Jr. have a similar view, “While studying abroad in Spain as a Gilman Scholar, I uncovered my passion for researching the ties between business and culture. That passion coupled with my experience abroad changed my vision for the future. I realized that I want to work in a dynamic environment that is focused on promoting cross-cultural relatability to promote prosperity and security. Because of that realization, the Foreign Service became my career goal.
Pickering Fellows participate in two internships. The first, an internship working at the U.S. Department of State headquarters in Washington, D.C., occurs in the summer between the first and second years of graduate study. The second internship is an overseas placement in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that takes place during the summer after fellows’ graduation. The Pickering Program provides additional support for summer travel, housing, and other related expenses.
Rangel Fellows also participate in two internships. The first, an internship working on international issues for Members of Congress in Washington, D.C., occurs in the summer after being selected and before the first year of graduate study. The second is an overseas internship in a U. S. Embassy or Consulate that takes place during the summer between the first and second years of graduate study. The Rangel Program provides support of up to $10,000 per summer.
Fellows who complete the Pickering Program or Rangel Program and Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments in the State Department Foreign Service under applicable law and State Department policy.
“I am excited to travel to new countries and work with people who are just as enthusiastic as I am to promote peace and sustainability in our world through the Foreign Service,” shared Gilman Alumna and Pickering Fellow Autumn Herndon.
“One thing that I most look forward to while being in the Foreign Service is getting to know my colleagues. I look forward to learning about their pathways toward this amazing career and hearing about their goals while in it,” said Gilman Alumnus and Pickering Fellow Donald Williams Jr.
“I look forward to being able to pursue public service, in such an interesting and dynamic setting! I look to pursue Public Diplomacy, in increasing intercultural exchange between different nations. In this way, I look to build opportunities for others, just like the Gilman and other scholarships have for me,” explained Gilman Alumnus and Pickering Fellow Jin Kim.
“I firmly believe that public service is the highest honor to engage in. As a Foreign Service Officer, I want to promote peace and democracy, and I want to serve as a mentor to others. I would also like to advocate for women’s empowerment and LGBT rights across the globe,” said Gilman Alumna and Rangel Fellow Martha Amaya
“I am excited to be serving my country in a way that allows me to never stop learning about new cultures and languages. I look forward to connecting with diverse individuals and immersing myself in communities overseas-just as I did during my time as a Gilman Scholar,” said Gilman Alumna and Rangel Fellow Rachel Tang.
Learn more and apply at pickeringfellowship.org and rangelprogram.org.
