In the past year, a record five College of Charleston students have received the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad. The Gilman Scholarship Program enables more students to study abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints.

The most recent recipient is Maria Teruel, a junior Spanish major, who received $4,000 to study abroad in Costa Rica in spring 2011. April Pineda, a sophomore Spanish major, is currently studying abroad in Chile (she received $4,000) and Alexandra Hooven is studying in Italy. The junior business administration major received $3,000. In spring 2010, Octavia Harris received $4,500 to study in Spain – she is a senior communication major; and Crystal Osuji, a junior physical education major received $4,000 to study in Costa Rica.

“The Gilman Scholarship Program helps us to have as many students as possible participate in a study abroad experience,” says Associate Provost for International Education Andrew Sobiesuo. “International study is so important in preparing our students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy.”

The program, founded by Congress in 2000, aims to encourage students to choose non-traditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

Over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad.

For more information contact Andrew Sobiesuo at the Center for International Education at 843.953.5537 or get more information here.