31 Huskers earn Gilman Scholarship for education abroad

In 2021, 31 University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduates earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support credit-bearing study abroad, internship abroad or virtual international opportunities.

During the March 2021 application cycle, 12 Huskers received a Gilman scholarship to study abroad or complete a virtual international program between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022. Nineteen Huskers were awarded during the October 2021 cycle to participate in a program from Dec. 1, 2021, to Oct. 31, 2022.

The Gilman is a nationally competitive scholarship awarded twice a year by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education. Students may apply several months in advance of their program, allowing them to finalize their education abroad plans with the reassurance of funding.

The Gilman scholarship represents underrepresented undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints, and aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries and to study languages — especially critical need languages.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward program costs and may receive up to an additional $3,000 to study a critical language.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Gilman program is allowing recipients to use their scholarships to pursue online courses or virtual intensive language programs at institutions based outside of the United States, virtual faculty-led study abroad programs or virtual international internships through summer 2022. The program also regularly updates its list of eligible countries for student participation in accordance with the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisories.

In addition to advising students during the Gilman application process with the Office of National and International Fellowships, Nebraska’s Education Abroad Office continues to support students seeking to go abroad in alignment with the university’s and Department of State’s travel policies. The office has also expanded global virtual learning opportunities in response to the pandemic, including adding new Global Experience courses, remote internships and affiliated virtual programs.

Following is a list of the university’s newest Gilman Scholars by hometown, with year in school, major(s), intended country of study and the 2021 application cycle for which they were awarded.

Nebraska:

Cairo:

• Lucille Kohtz, junior, global studies, South Korea, October

Columbus:

• Anibal Grajeda, junior, international business, Italy, October

Gering:

• Jaela Hardin, senior, psychology and global studies, Spain, March

Grand Island:

• Isabelle Vlach, junior, global studies, Germany, March

Lincoln:

• Nour Al-Ghareeb, senior, biochemistry and pre-health, Greece, October
• Sarah Al-Hilfy Leon, senior, global studies and pre-law, Morocco, October
• Seth Alnwick, junior, art, South Korea, October
• Dawsyn Barnhill, sophomore, international business, France, October
• Devan Buescher, senior, management and international business, United Kingdom, March
• Helen Duong, senior, global studies and chemistry, Chile, March
• Elizabeth Graham, senior, nutrition and health sciences, Ethiopia and Zambia, October
• Elle Hove, senior, international business, Italy, October
• Dylan Little, sophomore, art, Germany, March
• Maryam Muayad, sophomore, criminology and criminal justice, Spain, March
• Yadah Mukendi Muamba, senior, business administration, France, March
• Zeta Nguyen, senior, accounting, Japan, March
• Katie Schmitz, junior, global studies, Ethiopia and Zambia, October
• Hadley Susie, junior, software engineering, Germany, October
• Hannah Varenhorst-Johnson, junior, psychology and business administration, Denmark, October

Omaha:

• Michael Earnest, junior, sports media and communication, and broadcasting, Japan, March
• Lauren Lewis, junior, marketing, Spain, March
• Gary Marshall, senior, advertising and public relations, United Kingdom, October
• Yajaira Pacheco-Menjivar, sophomore, international business, South Korea, October
• Yaritza Pacheco-Menjivar, sophomore, international business and pre-dentistry, South Korea, October
• Clarice Santos, senior, economics and sociology, Ethiopia and Zambia, October
• Jackson Stull, senior, music and German, Germany, October
• Monzeratt Valentin, senior, global studies and political science, Uruguay, October

Elsewhere in the U.S.:

Clayton, Georgia:

• Dalilah Valdez, senior, criminology and criminal justice, and sociology, United Kingdom, October

Hennepin, Minnesota:

• Ayla Volante, senior, anthropology and global studies, Morocco, October

Sioux Falls, South Dakota:

• Jada Moore, junior, marketing, United Kingdom, March

Maple Valley, Washington:

• Rylan Korpi, senior, global studies and mathematics, Brazil, March

The next cycle of Gilman scholarship applications is due March 1. Interested students should contact the Education Abroad Office at educationabroad@unl.edu or visit the Gilman Program website for more details.