CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fifteen University of Illinois students have received Gilman scholarships to study abroad this summer and in fall semester, placing the U. of I. atop the Big Ten and in the top 20 in the country for Gilman Scholarship recipients during these terms.
“Illinois recipients are freshmen, sophomores, junior and seniors; come from six different colleges at Illinois; and will be studying in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, representing the broad spectrum of international engagement by our students,” said David Schug, the director of the National and International Scholarships Program at Illinois.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Only students receiving a federal Pell Grant are eligible to apply.
Illinois recipients, their hometowns, majors and study abroad destinations for summer:
Susan Chen, of Skokie, Illinois, majoring in electrical and computer engineering, South Korea; Hannah Dougherty, of Paris, Illinois, crop sciences, France; Arabed Hernandez, Franklin Park, Illinois, political science, Austria; Jason Huska, Wheeling, Illinois, natural resources and environmental sciences, Tanzania; Aymber Johnson, Peoria, Illinois, human development and family studies, Ecuador; Estefania Rodriguez, Chicago, animal sciences, Tanzania; Lauren Terzinski, Elk Grove Village, general engineering, Italy; Sarah Tomkins, Oak Forest, Illinois, elementary education, Ecuador; Michelle Zheng, Chicago, undeclared, Hong Kong.
Fall:
Liliana Arroyo, Lansing, Illinois, human development and family studies, South Africa; Chamia Chatman, Chicago, animal sciences, South Africa; Maya Krolikowski, Wilmette, Illinois, architectural studies, Spain; Elizabeth Nowicki, Chicago, linguistics, Japan; Finey Ruan, Chicago, integrative biology, United Kingdom; Victoria Pai, Naperville, Illinois, global studies, South Korea.
The national list of students who have been selected to receive Gilman scholarships is available at www.iie.org/gilman.
Since the establishment of the Gilman International Scholarship Program by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, nearly 15,000 students nationwide have received the award.
“Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates,” said former U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman, R-N.Y. He retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years.
“Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience,” Gilman said. “It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”
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