Published: Sept. 16, 2016

A close-up of someone's feet in Converse tennis shoes are seen on the edge of a dock looking out over a body of still water surrounded by mountains in Chile. Photo by Keenan Fitzpatrick.

A record nine CU Boulder students have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships to study abroad during the fall 2016 semester or the 2016-17 academic year.

Awardees and Destinations
  • Clement Asante, Brighton, England
  • Eugenia Asuming, Barcelona, Spain
  • Branton Demoss, Oxford, England
  • Kristopher Giltz, Monteverde, Costa Rica
  • Adilene Marquez, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  • Joana Ospina, Valparaiso, Chile
  • Alejandra Portillo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Lillian Poush, Osaka, Japan
  • Dana Yost, Tokyo, Japan.

Assisted by the campus study abroad office, the students represent the largest CU Boulder cohort to receive the Gilman at one time and puts CU Boulder in the top 10 nationally among other colleges and universities. More than 850 American undergraduate students from 324 colleges and universities across the U.S. were selected to receive the prestigious award in 2016-17, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to study or intern overseas.

The CU Boulder students and their destinations are: Clement Asante, Brighton, England; Eugenia Asuming, Barcelona, Spain; Branton Demoss, Oxford, England; Kristopher Giltz, Monteverde, Costa Rica; Adilene Marquez, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Joana Ospina, Valparaiso, Chile; Alejandra Portillo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lillian Poush, Osaka, Japan; Dana Yost, Tokyo, Japan.

Asuming, a speech, language and hearing sciences major says because of the scholarship she is, “proud to say no to student loans this term and is looking forward to a great semester abroad.” Asante, a double major in neuroscience and molecular, cellular and developmental biology says, “with the help of the Gilman scholarship I can gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the importance of higher education and also get to experience cultures to help equip me for my future profession.” A woman sits on a set of mosaic stairs taking in the ornate architecture of Barcelona, Spain.

Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. The program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages and economies, better preparing them to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply. 

The program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The full list of Gilman awardees is available at the IIE website.

Announced earlier this summer, five CU Boulder graduate students or alumni, plus one alternate, were offered Fulbright awards to pursue teaching, research and graduate studies abroad during the 2016-17 academic year.

The Gilman application cycle for spring of 2017 will close on Oct. 4. Applicants are encouraged to contact the CU Boulder Study Abroad office with questions regarding the application process. Application deadlines for spring study abroad programs  range from Sept. 15 through Oct. 3.

Photos by: Keenan Fitzpatrick, Chile; Emily Schultz, Barcelon, Spain; Juliana Russell, Patagonia, Argentina.

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