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Seven Boston College juniors are participating in study-abroad programs this semester — in Japan, Ireland, Brazil, South Korea, South Africa and the UK — through prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships.
According to the University’s Office of International Programs (OIP), the seven scholarships represent continued success for Boston College in the Gilman program, compared with other schools on a national scale. During the 2012 summer and fall semesters, nine BC juniors and seniors studied abroad through Gilman Scholarships.
BC students selected to study abroad this spring are: elementary education major SangEun Bae, (Sophia University, Japan); English major Jacqueline Delgado (NUI Maynooth, Ireland); biology major Khoi Do (PUC Rio de Janero, Brazil); theology major Grace Ko (Sogang University, South Korea); accounting major Rebehak Mark (Rhodes University, South Africa); communication major Titilopemi Oluwo (BC in Granada, Spain); and English and philosophy major Robert Williams (University of Glasgow, UK).
“We would like to acknowledge the effort of all BC students who competed,” said OIP Assistant Director for International Development Christina Dimitrova Hatzipetros.
“Out of 10 candidates who submitted applications in October, seven were awarded the Gilman scholarship, which we consider a high success rate. With generous support offered through Gilman, especially for those who may otherwise not be able to afford to study abroad, it has been an incredibly successful year for BC students.”
Hatzipetros also acknowledged the work of BC’s Montserrat Coalition, an initiative under University Mission and Ministry, for assisting OIP “reach-out to eligible candidates and empowering students in the process of planning for study abroad.”
By supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not pursue study-abroad opportunities due to financial constraints, the Gilman Scholarship Program — open to US citizen undergraduates — aims to bring greater diversity to the population of students going overseas, and the countries and regions where they go. The experience is intended to better prepare US students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.
A total of $25,500 in scholarships, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, was designated for Boston College students in the nationwide competition.
As part of the application process, students are required to submit a follow-up project proposal, for completion on campus when they return from their international study programs. Last month, Gilman scholar Jennifer Shin ’13, who studied abroad last year at Waseda University in Tokyo, made a presentation at the Boston Area Study Abroad Association meeting of study-abroad professionals, financial aid advisors, program providers and practitioners in the field.
“Jennifer’s success in winning three national scholarships, including Gilman, to study at Waseda University was applauded as an exceptional example of academic achievement,” said Hatzipetros, who added that the students’ post study-abroad projects contribute in a significant way to the campus community.