The University of Oregon continues to rank in the top 10 of Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship producing schools. During the March 2023 application cycle, 18 UO students were selected for the prestigious scholarship that supports global opportunities.
The Gilman scholarship is a highly competitive national scholarship for undergraduate students interested in studying or interning abroad. Students who currently receive the federal Pell Grant can be awarded up to $5,000 to be used for program tuition, room and board, international airfare, and passport and visa fees, among other necessary costs.
Combined, UO students were awarded $62,500, which will help fund their study and intern abroad experiences this summer.
Between 20 to 25 percent of Gilman applicants are accepted nationally each year. The UO saw 33 percent of its applicants accepted during this cycle.
Will Johnson, assistant vice provost for Global Engagement and Director of Global Education Oregon, is thrilled that UO remains a top recipient of the national study abroad scholarship.
“Our impressive success rate is a testament to the academic strength of our students, UO’s commitment to ensuring global engagement is inclusive and accessible to all, and the countless hours of advising support,” said Johnson. “Every student should have an international experience because it deepens their cultural humility, expands citizenship and civic skills, and prepares them to be successful in today’s careers. The Gilman Scholarship is one of the many ways GEO ensures that these experiences are available to all students.”
GEO, which is housed within the Division of Global Engagement, offers advising and hands-on support for all study abroad related scholarships. UO students can apply for more than 40 scholarships ranging by financial need, academic merit, academic department, program-specific and external providers.
“The Gilman Scholarship is a robust and prestigious award that provides access to study abroad for Pell-eligible underrepresented students. I am delighted for the group of outstanding, resilient, and dedicated UO students who will receive the Gilman Scholarship to support their upcoming global experiences,” said Luis Ruiz, assistant director for student success and analytics at GEO.
Recipient Lesly Rios Santos, a global studies major, will intern at a non-profit organization in London through GlobalWorks International Internships. Her goal is to further understand intercultural communications from a different perspective.
“This scholarship brings a bigger accomplishment on what I contribute as a person of color, representing the University of Oregon,” said Santos, “Being a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship will provide financial assistance to my academic expenses abroad. The application allowed me to reflect on how my background, fellowship experience, and this internship will intertwine to bring representation to my community at UO and as a global community member.”
As a first-generation and low-income student, Mattie Lucero never thought they would be able to study abroad. But after taking a chance by applying for the Gilman Scholarship, they are excited for the opportunity to participate in GEO’s Anthropology in Barbados program this summer.
“My plan with this study abroad program is to get hands-on experience in anthropology and archaeology, which will be a great for my career goals moving forward as an archaeologist. I think having this kind of experience with different cultures is really important for anyone going into anthropology,” said Lucero, “I'm grateful to have this kind of opportunity and for the help and encouragement I've received from my community here on campus throughout the application process. I've never flown out of the United States before so it will be a new and exciting experience for me this summer!”
The 18 students and their programs are:
Ailah Altemus, Universidad San Francisco de Quito Exchange
Zoe Brown, German Language and Culture in Berlin
Emilia (Mila) Bruce, Politics in London
Micah Bustamante, Spanish Language in Oviedo
Joshua Castellanos Ramos, GlobalWorks International Internships in Osaka, Japan
Yazzie Chee, Yonsei International Summer School
Tristan Cline, Indigenous Rights and Environmental Justice in Bolivia
Chelsy Cortes Martinez, Indigenous Rights and Environmental Justice in Bolivia
Yesenia DelRio, Mexican Studies and Spanish Immersion in Queretaro
Javier Fregoso-Duenas, Architecture in Vicenza
Mariah Hernandez, Spanish Language and Culture in Segovia
Nathan King, Advanced Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture in Oviedo
Mattie Lucero, Anthropology in Barbados
Jessica Molina, Independent Internship in the Philippines
Lesly Rios Santos, GlobalWorks International Internships in London, England
Sophia Schwartz, GlobalWorks International Internships in Mantua, Italy
Madison Studer, Indigenous Rights and Environmental Justice in Bolivia
Kelley Wong, GlobalWorks International Internships in South Korea