When I graduate from the University of Arkansas I want to attend graduate school for a master’s degree. I have not yet decided a college yet, but am narrowing down my options, and taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) this summer. Though I am doing research with one of my faculty members, which gives me an advantage when applying for a master’s program, I think that my study abroad experience will be what pushes my application over the top.
On my program, I will be taking a biomedical engineering elective class, Medical Biotechnology and Drug Development, as well as a science elective class, Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach, both of which I think will be extremely beneficial. Having experience abroad will already give me a step up, since it shows that I am willing to step outside of the box and explore new options. That is only expanded upon by the experience I will gain by touring facilities and understanding the health system in another country.
Being able to take major specific classes that I need to graduate will help me to get ahead in my degree plan, along with the fact that I think it helped me achieve funding for my program. I believe I was awarded the Gilman scholarship for a few reasons. One was that my classes had a direct impact on what I am studying, as well as helping me in my future by giving me the opportunity to see the health system in a country where it is so renowned. Another reason is because I showed some of the obstacles I have overcome, having to get scholarships to help pay for college, being a woman in a STEM major, being a first generation college student, all of which were adversities that stood in my way.
The Gilman application process was not bad, as long as you keep on top of it. You have to write two major papers, and submit multiple other documents, all of which can’t be collected and compiled the day before. I was very happy that I consulted with my study abroad advisor about my personal statement, and follow-up service project. She really helped me to organize my personal statement to highlight the points that Gilman was looking for, and to figure out an acceptable follow-up project that I would not have thought of on my own.By showing that I have the perseverance to stick with what I want, and to achieve my goals, Gilman awarded me.
My particular follow-up project consists of doing multiple presentations to groups that I am a part of. I will present at one of the Biomedical Engineering Society meetings to get the word out about this program to people in my major, since there are so few options for us to study abroad. I am also going to present to the Wildlife Society and Pershing Air Rifles Club, to try to impact the study abroad community itself. The more people who hear about successful, amazing trips provides more of an opportunity to inspire someone to study abroad.
Overall, I would encourage anyone who can, to apply. Yes, it takes some time, but if you are awarded the Gilman scholarship, it can make all the difference for your trip. Not having to worry about that money, and being able to influence other students to study abroad, is a gratifying experience.
--
About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program) offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.--
Students interested in more information about applying for the Gilman Scholarship should contact the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange.
