Published: Jan. 19, 2018
Two students pose for a photo in Prague.

Nine CU Boulder undergraduate students will study abroad this semester thanks to the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship program, the CU Boulder Education Abroad office announced in December.

This group matches the largest number of CU Boulder students to receive the prestigious award at one time.

Each year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs selects a group of college students from across the United States to study or intern overseas.

CU Boulder awardees and their study-abroad destinations for spring 2018 are Madison Adamthwaite, Czech Republic; Jamie Briscoe, Ecuador; Paris Buedel, China; Robbie Gershon, Czech Republic; Lauren Hartshorn, France; Faisal Lalani, South Africa; Hernán Lopez, New Zealand; Bailey Wristen, England; and Soraya Yanez, who will visit and study in multiple sites.

Gilman scholars receive up to $8,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. The scholarship supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means and, since 2001, has enabled more than 25,000 outstanding students of diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful educational experiences abroad. Students must receive a federal Pell Grant to be eligible to apply.

Lopez, a mechanical engineering major, learned about Gilman through a CU Education Abroad advisor.

“The Gilman scholarship will significantly reduce my costs of studying in New Zealand and make it so I don’t have to take out a loan,” he said.

Upon their return to the United States, awardees must complete a service project to “inspire others to pursue their own experiences abroad.”

Lopez said he plans to give a presentation about his experiences abroad to his former high school with the goal of planting an early interest in studying abroad in students participating in the same college prep program.

The scholarship, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), has successfully broadened U.S. participation in education abroad, emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study. The full list of Gilman awardees is available at the IIE website.

The Gilman application cycle for summer and fall of 2018 will be open between mid-January and early-March 2018. Application deadlines range from Feb. 15 through March 1. Applicants are encouraged to contact the CU Boulder Education Abroad office with questions regarding the application process.