ASU students awarded Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad

Albany State University students awarded distinguished Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad

Eight ASU students to study in Belize, India, Japan and Trinidad and Tobago

Many Albany State University students have an opportunity to experience new cultures during summer study abroad trips.

ALBANY, Ga. – Eight Albany State University (ASU) students have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad during the summer 2018 term.

Approximately 1,000 undergraduate students from 386 colleges and universities across the U.S. were selected to receive the national scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards study abroad or internship program costs with additional funding available for the study of a critical language overseas. The Gilman scholarship supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad and, since 2001, has enabled more than 25,000 outstanding Americans of diverse backgrounds to engage in a meaningful educational experience abroad.

Albany State University’s 2018 Gilman Scholarship recipients and their destination countries are listed below.

• Jamarious Allen, a senior, supply chain and logistics major will study abroad in Belize.

• Edward Carter, a senior, nursing major will study abroad in India.

• Asia Clemmons, a junior, social work major will study abroad in Trinidad and Tobago.

• Tamia Hurst, a sophomore, sociology major will study abroad in Trinidad and Tobago.

• Vivia Johnson, a senior, psychology major will study abroad in Trinidad and Tobago.

• Nikesia Patrick, a sophomore, psychology major will study abroad in Trinidad and Tobago.

• Jasmine Sparks, a senior, early childhood education major will study abroad in Japan.

• Aleshia Thomason, a senior, nursing major will study abroad in India.

The ASU Office of International Education (OIE) coordinates a Gilman scholarship workshop initiative with the ASU Writing Center and faculty program coordinators to create awareness about the scholarship. According to Nneka Nora Osakwe, OIE director, the workshop inspires more students to apply for the scholarship each year. Since 2012, 48 ASU students received the Gilman scholarship to study abroad.

“The Office of International Education coordinates study abroad opportunities to destinations around the globe, including Belize, China, Dominican Republic, France, Jamaica, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, and Costa Rica,” Osakwe said.

ASU also collaborates with other universities through consortium programs and study abroad agencies such as Education First and the Council on International Educational Exchange.

“These programs create opportunities for students to explore other cultures, histories and languages while taking classes and earning credits toward graduation,” Osakwe said. “When the students return from their studies abroad, they become Global Ambassadors and help to recruit and spread information about their scholarships and newly gained global knowledge to other students through class presentations.”

The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The program has successfully broadened U.S. participation in study abroad, while emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study. The list of students who have been selected to receive Gilman Scholarships, including students’ home state, university and host country, is available on the Gilman website.

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