Four UNM undergrads have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which is given to only 800 students in the United States, allowing them the opportunity to study in other countries.
Gabriel Maxson, Edgar Borrego, Eugenia Espinoza and Calvin Burgstahler will study this semester in China, South Korea, Spain and Mexico respectively after winning a spot in the highly competitive scholarship.
The recipients are chosen competitively for scholarships of up to $5,000 dollars which can be used for room and board, books, transportation and airfare, according to the scholarship’s webpage.
“International education is one of the best tools for developing mutual understanding and building connections between people from different countries,” said Allan Goodman, president and CEO of the Institute of International Education, in a press release. “It is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business, and the lasting ties that Americans make during their international studies and important to our times of conflict as well as times of peace.”
In order to apply, students must write two essays. The first must describe their desire to study abroad, why they chose the country, and outline their goals and what they hope to gain from their experience. The other essay is called a Follow-on Service Project Proposal that explains the significance of the applicant’s studies abroad and how they can contribute to their community upon their return.
Although the University received good representation through the scholarship’s recipients, one school official hopes it is just the beginning of broader interest in international programs.
“UNM is underrepresented in study abroad,” said Annette Mares-Duran, program coordinator at UNM’s Global Education Office, “so (the) scholarship is one I wish more students would apply for.”
Mares-Duran said that numerous students have received this award in the past and that usually 15-20 students apply with five to seven students being awarded the scholarship each semester.
“The scholarship focuses on less common destinations and language learning,” said David Wright, associate director for education abroad at UNM GEO. “It is offered through the institute for international education, which is supporting the department of state, and so it is a huge honor for students to receive this award.”
Wright said receiving the scholarship is a great opportunity for the students and promotes diversity. While not equivalent to a Fulbright scholarship, Wright said that there is still stiff competition for the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship and that other entire institutions sometimes don’t receive a single recipient.
"(The scholarship) enables students to do something that they wouldn’t have been able to do,” Wright said, “and it’s common that college students report back that studying abroad is one of the most meaningful experiences of their college carriers.”
Wright said that it provides the recipients the opportunity to do something unique and helps them prepare for the future; statistics show that students do better on the job market if they’ve studied abroad, he said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The selection process requires that applicants have high financial need, be from diverse ethnic backgrounds and to ideally be traveling to non-traditional locations —countries outside of Australia and western Europe.
Any students who are considering applying for the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship in the future en route to studying overseas can find more information at www.iie.org/programs/gilman-scholarship-program.
Fin Martinez is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @FinMartinez.
