Lynley Bowen studied abroad in Sweden in Summer 2024.
Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, one that broadens horizons, fosters personal growth, and creates lasting memories. For me, this transformative journey was made possible through the support of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Reflecting on my time abroad, I’m reminded of the countless ways the scholarship shaped my experience and made my dream of studying in another country a reality.
My name is Lynley Bowen and I am a 2024 Gilman Alumni from Farmington, Arkansas studying communication sciences and disorders. Without the help of the Gilman Scholarship, I never would have been able to live out my study abroad dreams. I had the opportunity to participate in the Health Teams Abroad Sweden program. We visited different healthcare facilities in the United States prior to our departure, and visited the facilities in Sweden for a comparison.
As a first-generation college student coming from a single parent household, college has already been initially difficult to navigate. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to study abroad. The Gilman Scholarship made it possible. Getting to study abroad is an experience that has forever shaped my college experience and has helped me become a more well-rounded person. Getting immersed in a culture other than your own is a powerful, character-building opportunity.
When I first decided to study abroad, the financial aspect felt like a weight on my shoulders. As a college student in charge of the majority of their financials, I worried that this incredible opportunity might remain out of reach. That’s when I learned about the Gilman Scholarship, a program designed to assist students with financial need in pursuing international education. Applying for the scholarship was not only an opportunity to potentially fund my study abroad program, but also a chance to reflect on my goals and professional aspirations.
During my time abroad, I grew in ways I never anticipated. I made lifelong friends along the way. My peers and faculty leaders helped me grow personally and academically. Studying abroad allowed me to experience different ways of healthcare that I never would have seen without going.
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Communication sciences and disorders major Lynley Bowen spent the summer 2024 term abroad with the U of A Faculty-led: Health Teams Abroad in Sweden program with support from the Gilman Scholarship.Learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Check out our Gilman Resources Page for more information and resources to apply for this scholarship!