2014 Gilman Alumni Ambassadors

25 Pages·2015·6.63 MB·English

by  Gutshall, Allie

Gilman Alumni Ambassador Program

The Gilman Alumni Ambassador Program is a diverse group of Gilman Scholarship recipients who have
studied abroad in various countries around the world. They are official ambassadors of the U.S.
Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Benjamin A. Gilman International
Scholarship Program, providing presentations and promotional outreach to university and college
campuses around the nation to students and advisors interested in learning more about the Gilman
Scholarship Program. The Gilman Alumni Ambassadors have been trained by the Gilman Scholarship
Program.

If you would like to request a Gilman Alumni Ambassador to present at your campus or if you are
interested in becoming a Gilman Alumni Ambassador, please contact Gilman Scholars by email at
[email protected] if you have any questions.

2014 Gilman Alumni Ambassadors:

Recipients Page
Gabriela Aguilera, University of New Hampshire, 2014, Kyrgyzstan 2
Kelsey Ball, Ohio University, 2014, Morocco 3
Elizabeth Barrera, University of Texas at Austin, 2014, India 4
Hugh Blackburn, Towson University, 2013, Japan 5
Natalie Cawker, University of Portland, 2013, Costa Rica 6
Tyler Clark, Valparaiso University, 2014, Spain 7
Charles Donkor, Bridgewater College, 2013, Ghana 8
Caitlyn Ebert, Daemen College, 2013, Poland 9
Megan Grable, University of Missouri, Columbia, 2012, China 10
Hugo Hernandez, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2014, Japan 11
Gregory Jones, University of Pittsburgh, 2012, Tanzania 12
Michael Karakash, University of California, Irvine, 2012, Chile 13
Amanda Lawnicki, Beloit College, 2012, Russia 14
Aaron Lemmon, Boston College, 2007, Australia 15
Lea-Jeanne Martin, The Evergreen State College, 2014, United Kingdom 16
Donald Meeks, Scottsdale Community College, 2014, Czech Republic 17
Erika Morton, University of Memphis, 2014, China 18
Ben Nia, University of Texas at Austin, 2013, Australia 19
Rosa Reyes, University of New Mexico, 2012, France 20
Heather Stewart, University of Louisville, 2013, Costa Rica 21
JoVona Taylor, University of Missouri, 2013, United Kingdom 22
Raul Velarde, University of Miami, 2012, Spain 23
Quenton White, Wayne State University, 2013, United Kingdom 24
Calvin Xu, New York Institution of Technology, 2008, Germany 25

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Gabby Aguilera, Kyrgyzstan, 2014

University of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
media in post-conflict The most significant attribute I
rehabilitation. I used what I gained from my study and intern
learned in my research to help abroad experience was a sense of
develop media strategies that confidence in myself and an ability
would promote diversity and to adapt to new and unexpected
peace in Kyrgyzstan and lessen the situations. There is a feeling of
ethnic tensions that were immense freedom that comes
remnants of the 2010 conflict from knowing that you are
between the Uzbeks and the independent and capable enough
Kyrgyz. Some of these strategies to live and work in a country and a
included promoting local media culture that is radically different
D
outlets that spread messages of from your own. It makes you feel
uring the 2014 summer peace and assisting with a like the whole world is open to
term, I spent two months studying workshop for journalists which you. I know that I am not done
and interning abroad in Bishkek, taught the importance of writing traveling to other countries and
Kyrgyzstan. I studied History of pieces that were unbiased and experiencing other cultures.
Central Asia and Russian Language maintained a high level of
at the American University of journalistic integrity. I am very fortunate that the
Central Asia and interned five days Gilman Scholarship helped defray
a week at the Soros Foundation. I greatly enjoyed my academic and the cost of my experience abroad.
My study and intern abroad internship experience, but the part I plan to encourage others to take
experience gave me a sense of of my experience that completely advantage of this life-changing
confidence in myself and my changed my life was utterly opportunity.
abilities, and gave me a chance to unexpected. During my second
grow both personally and week in Kyrgyzstan, I quite literally “The most significant
professionally. stumbled into an English teaching attribute I gained from
job. I discovered that I greatly my study and intern
My research at the Soros enjoyed teaching and am abroad experience was a
Foundation opened up a new area passionate about helping people sense of confidence in
of interest for me that I had never learn. Before this, I had never even myself and an ability to
even considered before. Most of considered teaching as a potential adapt to new and
my work focused on identifying career path, but it is something I unexpected situations.”
the most effective ways to use am definitely considering now.
Follow-on Service Project
For my Follow-on Service Project, Experience Blog showcases stories blogging and hope to continue
I took a slightly different route from current Gilman scholars here in the U.S. I used the blog to
than most. I applied to be a Gilman abroad to spread awareness of the talk about different parts of my
Global Experience Blog opportunity and encourage experience, such as my initial
Correspondent and was fortunate students to apply. I had never expectations, my encounters with
enough to be chosen to share my blogged before, so it was a culture shock, and how my life in
experiences in Kyrgyzstan through completely new endeavor for me. Kyrgyzstan differed from my life
this venue. The Gilman Global I found that I greatly enjoyed back in the US.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Kelsey Ball, Morocco, 2014

Ohio University, Athens
Ohio
majors so different than my own. capable of reaching their goals if
Although studying abroad was not they set their mind to it.
required, it was an important goal
for me personally. I have always Currently I am finishing my last
felt that understanding other year of college, and studying
people and their culture is a vital abroad has absolutely affected my
and admirable quality to possess career choices. I am looking into
regardless of career ambition. traveling to South America in
During my abroad experience, I order to help teach a Diabetes
was given the opportunity to live Prevention Program. I am
with a wonderful host family, who definitely a huge advocate for
taught me so much about the helping students and showing
Moroccan culture through their those in the Exercise Physiology
cooking and extremely caring major that it is possible, and also
H
personalities. I was able to learn extremely beneficial, to study
aving the opportunity to and truly feel that the knowledge I abroad in our field. I cannot wait
learn and live in another country gained will benefit not only my to work with students in their
was an experience that I used to career, but also my understanding journey to achieve their goals of
believe was out of my reach. That of the world around me. studying abroad.
was until I was given information
on the Gilman Scholarship, which I was able to travel to other cities
ended up allowing me to be a part in Morocco such as Ifrane,
of an internship abroad program in Chefchaouen, and Merzouga. Each
Meknes, Morocco. For an entire of these places were once-in-a-
“I have always felt that
month, I was able to observe and lifetime experiences that I would
understanding other
help practice Physical Therapy not trade for anything. Studying
people and their culture
with children who have various abroad would not have been
is a vital and admirable
mental and physical disabilities. possible for me if it were not for
quality to possess
the Gilman Scholarship. It allowed
regardless of career
As an Exercise Physiology major, it me to achieve a dream I strived
ambition.”
was eye opening and exciting to for ever since beginning college.
have the chance to work with The Gilman Scholarship solidified
other students in many various my firm belief that everyone is
Follow-on Service Project
As the President of our Exercise field and funding opportunities, my field the many opportunities
Physiology Club at Ohio such as the Gilman Scholarship. being offered to them and how
University, part of my Follow-on So many students are interested these experiences abroad can
Service Project entailed in studying or interning abroad, help them personally,
conducting a club meeting about but feel that it is not possible professionally, and academically
the opportunities to study or within this particular major. I am will encourage them to go abroad.
intern abroad in the health care hopeful that showing students in
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Elizabeth Barrera, India, 2014

University of Texas at Austin
Texas
My experiences in India have
I was finally able to explore another definitely encouraged me to pursue
continent, something I had always more opportunities abroad,
wanted to do, but was never able to particularly internships. I know with
due to my financial needs. I definitely certainty that I will venture outside of
would not have been able to the United States in order to pursue
participate in this program without more international opportunities in
the Gilman Scholarship, and I the future.
appreciate the financial support I
received for my program in India. I am currently looking for more
While I was there, I visited many internship and research opportunities
temples, forts, and local markets that in Biomedical Engineering that would
opened my eyes to the many allow me to improve my skills and be
differences (and similarities) between able to contribute greatly to my field.
S cultures across the globe. I aim to spread the work I do to my
tudying abroad in India was community and to the world.
definitely the beginning of the While the majority of religions in
realization of many of my goals. I India and the Western Hempisphere
experienced a culture completely are drastically different from one
“I was able to experience
outside of the American and Mexican another, I found two things to be
first-hand the work of a
societies I had grown up with, and I quite similar between India and
programmer as I was
bonded with my fellow engineering Mexico: the spicy food and the street
writing code to improve
classmates in an environment that markets that people go to while
the current heart-rate
many of us found to be exotic. I buying groceries. They had a wide
monitor system during
received credit for an embedded variety of goods to offer to the
systems class that I needed for my customers. The friendships I made my internship with Ineda
Biomedical Engineering major. In while in India are some of the Systems.”
addition, I was able to experience strongest I have ever had, and I would
first-hand the work of a programmer not have been able to meet the
as I was writing code to improve the intelligent, talented people that were
current heart-rate monitor system in the program if it had not been for
during my internship with Ineda the Gilman Scholarship.
Systems.
Follow-on Service Project
My Follow-on Service Project many engineering students that listening to my story and learning
consisted of hosting a booth during a attended the study abroad fair, so the about how I found my particular
Study Abroad Fair at the University booth allowed me to encourage program has encouraged engineers
of Texas at Austin in which I them to look for a program abroad to not give up on education abroad,
explained details of the Gilman that fit with their career aspirations. I and that funding opportunities, such
Scholarship for people who were know how challenging it is to find as the Gilman Scholarship, are
interested, and described my study abroad programs as an available to them.
experiences abroad. There were engineering major. I hope that
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Hugh Blackburn, Japan, 2013

Towson State University
Maryland
view of the study abroad the face of tragedy helped me
experience. come to a new understanding of
the world, human strength, and the
In a very short period of time, my precious nature of life itself.
host family became very much like
a real family to me and the daily
“My host family became
interactions I had with them were
very much like a real
enormously helpful to my personal
family to me and the daily
and professional goals of becoming
interactions I had with
fluent in Japanese. It was this
them were enormously
immersion that helped my
helpful to my personal
S classroom Japanese studies
and professional goals of
tudy abroad is an essential part translate into a true fluency.
becoming fluent in
of the modern educational The Asian Studies program that I
Japanese.”
experience. It provides critical and participated in also furthered my
valuable multicultural knowledge academic goals by quickly filling in
I will never be able to forget the
that serves to enrich both the my required classes for my major
countless friends I made and the
student as well as the international and deeply enriching my
places I saw. Going to Japan had
community. My year spent abroad understanding of Japanese art,
been a dream for me since
was no exception, and is an religion, as well as regional politics
adolescence, and I brought with me
outstanding example of why study and history.
a bucket list of places to visit and
abroad is so critical.
things to do. I exhausted the list in
I made friends from all corners of
two months and was forced to go
During my spring 2013 study the globe in an incredible
write a new one, twice.
abroad program, I lived with a host multicultural experience that has

family in Hirakata city in Osaka helped shape my worldview.
Thanks to my time in Japan,
prefecture while studying at Kansai In particular, my trip to Hiroshima
supported by the Gilman
Gaidai University. I later extended was a truly humbling and awe-
Scholarship, I was able to expand
my term abroad into the fall 2013 inspiring experience. As part of
my horizons in ways that I had not
semester and moved into a our program I was able to hear the
thought possible. The experience I
dormitory. Both living experiences of a hibakusha, one of
gained will serve me well
arrangements gave me a unique the survivors of the Atomic bomb.
throughout the rest of my career.
Listening to her story of courage in
Follow-on Service Project
For my Follow-on Service Project, inspire them towards studying seven classrooms around campus
I wanted to give back to the abroad, something that had not with students from a
community college that had given occurred to many, and for others diverse set of backgrounds and life
me the opportunity to pursue had seemed unfeasible for financial experiences. I believe that my
higher education before moving reasons. I took photographs speaking had a strong impact on
on to Towson State. I wanted to during my time in Japan and used the students—several contacted
reach out to minorities at my these to share my experiences in me with further questions after
previous community college and the event.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Natalie Cawker, Costa Rica, 2014

University of Portland
Montana
I believe one of the most valuable My experience in Costa Rica has
components of my study abroad inspired me to pursue academic
program was my host-family research in laboratories overseas
experience. I was able to fully after graduation. I am extremely
immerse myself into a new culture, interested in connecting with
yet I was supported and encouraged research teams overseas because it
by my host family to ask any will not only allow me to expand my
questions I had about certain scientific knowledge but will also
observations that I did not fully allow me to continue learning about a
understand. My host family had an different country and will foster
extensive family network, including diverse cultural experiences.
several bilingual children who could
help me with my Spanish when I was I continue to use the lessons that I
having trouble communicating. My learned during my time studying
host family also took me on several abroad, such as the ability to
weekend outings to see different communicate with others in different
D
parts of the country, including remote languages, and acceptance of cultural
uring the summer after my beaches that only locals had access to. practices that may otherwise seem
junior year, I had the opportunity to peculiar or confusing. Having studied
study abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica My time studying abroad in Costa abroad with a Gilman Scholarship, I
with the support of a Gilman Rica was crucial for my ability to have learned the importance of the
Scholarship. I spent my time abroad complete a Spanish minor and learn a exploration of new cultures in order
taking classes that enhanced my foreign language while studying to fully understand the world around
proficiency in the Spanish language, science at the University of Portland. me, and the political relationships
allowing me to complete several As a biochemistry major, I found that between different nations.
classes for my Spanish minor. I a summer study abroad program was
completed an advanced Spanish best suited for my academic needs,
grammar course, and a discussion- and allowed me to have experiences I
“My time abroad has
based class where we discussed could not have otherwise had. The
inspired me to pursue
socioeconomic issues that are Gilman Scholarship allowed me to
academic research in
especially prevalent in modern Latin pursue a study abroad program
laboratories overseas
America. Outside of class, I continued without incurring strenuous financial
after graduation.”
my immersion in the Spanish language burdens during my time as an
by communicating with my host-family undergraduate student.
or my “familia tica”.

Follow-on Service Project
During my time abroad, I served as a such as the different food I ate or reflect upon all of the experiences I
Reach the World mentor, a position animals I had seen. I also video- had abroad, and to compare how
where I communicated with a chatted with the students several different life in Costa Rica was from
classroom of elementary students times during my time abroad where I my small hometown in Missoula,
located in the Bronx who wanted to answered their questions and even Montana. I cultivated cultural
learn more about study abroad demonstrated the different dance awareness I could not have
opportunities. With Reach the moves I had learned during a dance otherwise discovered with my time
World, I composed articles detailing class! During my time as a Reach the abroad, made possible by a Gilman
different aspects of my time abroad, World mentor, I was able to truly Scholarship.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Tyler Clark, Spain, 2014

Valparaiso University
Indiana
whose native language is not Now that I have returned to the
Spanish. I had class everyday in United States, I have started my
Spanish grammar. The class had a senior year at Valparaiso University
very international feel because all of while also serving as a Peer Adviser
the other students were from non - for the Study Abroad Office here
Spanish speaking countries as well. on campus and as a Gilman Alumni
Ambassador. After I graduate, I
The entire experience of being hope to go abroad again as part of
abroad not only increased my the JET program. I hope that
understanding of other cultures and enrolling in that program will help
the Spanish language, but also immerse me in the Japanese
helped to strengthen me as a culture, as well as improve my
person. I was forced to think on my beginners Japanese skills. I would
I
feet a lot more and was faced with like to also teach English to
lived in Zaragoza, Spain for situations I had never had to deal Japanese children and hopefully
almost 5 months. While there, I with while in the United States, and inspire them to study abroad
was enrolled in classes at Zaragoza that is a skill that I will always carry someday.
University in the Centro de Español with and will definitely prove to be
como Lengua Extranjera. invaluable in the future.
When I initially decided to study
“The entire experience
abroad, I told myself that that Living with a host family forced me
of being abroad not only
experience would help me decide to rely on what little Spanish I knew
increased my
whether or not I would continue to help them understand me when I
understanding of other
my dream job: to become an was not exactly sure how to get my
cultures and the Spanish
international interpreter someday. meaning across. After living in
language, but also
Zaragoza for a few weeks, I started
helped to strengthen me
My knowledge of the Spanish tutoring a boy named Andrew in
as a person.”
language improved vastly, and I have English. He and I became good
been praised on my improved friends. During our sessions we had
speaking abilities quite a few times the chance to see how our native
since returning to the United languages related to each other in
States. I was in a Spanish intensive ways we had not acknowledged
course, designed for students previously.
Follow-on Service Project
The Gilman Scholarship helped me Experience Blog Correspondent. I other students to study abroad, as
financially. I was able to focus wrote about my different well as assuage any doubts or fears
more on my experiences while experiences I had while in Spain, they have. As a Peer Advisor in the
abroad, without having to worry including homesickness, culture study abroad office, I help prepare
about my financial obligations. For shock, and new friendships. I hope and advise students who are going
my Follow-on Service Project, I that seeing my blog will promote abroad and prepare a "pre-
became a Gilman Global the Gilman Scholarship and inspire departure" class.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
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Bridgewater College 
Virginia
decided to extend my stay in Ghana so place of birth, it hurts me to see how
I could take advantage of this amazing the country is not taking full advantage
experience. I had the chance to work of all of its resources. Because Ghana
with the education advising center at does not have the knowledge capital
the Embassy, advising local students or costly equipment to extract their
who were interested in studying in the own natural resources like gold and
U.S. and assisting students with the oil, foreigners have taken over such
application process to institutions in resources and only a small portion of
the U.S. Additionally, I helped prepare the revenue goes back into the
students who had already been Ghanaian economy. I am hoping that
accepted into a program through my efforts will have an impact on
W orientations and advising. It was improving educational resources in
ithout the Gilman Scholarship rewarding to know that my guidance Ghana. Because of my experience, I
my study abroad dreams would not and knowledge of U.S. culture and have decided to pursue a career as a
have become a reality. My year abroad education systems helped prepare Foreign Service Officer, so that I can
was by far one of the best experiences Ghanaian students for their next assist people of third world countries
I have had in my life. For the first time chapter of their lives. on behalf of the U.S. government.
in my life I feel like I have done
something that had a positive impact While living in Ghana, I also realized
on the lives of others through that there are many people in the “It was rewarding to know
volunteering, interning and my Gilman country with great potential, yet there that my guidance and
Follow-on Service Project. are very limited resources to help knowledge of U.S. culture
these individuals achieve any real and education systems
During my time abroad, I volunteered success. Education has advanced since helped prepare Ghanaian
for the United States Embassy of I lived there, but still has not students for their next
Ghana for the summer through the fall progressed to match the potential of chapter of their lives.”
semester. Due to this opportunity, I the people. With Ghana being my
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Education is a smart starting point. I had the opportunity to visit several Ghana and give the students of
With education comes tools to solve schools while in Ghana and proposed Dominion the option of “adopting”
everyday problems in society. This is these ideas to them. the athletes of Ghana. I plan on
why I initiated my Follow-on Service returning to Ghana in January to
In addition, I donated some soccer
Project aiming to engage children in donate more soccer gear as an
gear to the schools. Upon my return
school through sports. Being an ambassador for Athlete to Atleta.
to the U.S., I visited my high school
athlete and soccer enthusiast, I think
sports director to restart Athlete to In the future I would like to expand
soccer has the potential to encourage
Atleta, a program that donates outside Ghana to other African
student involvement. However, most
equipment to less affluent schools. countries. Being in the U.S. for ten
of the rural schools in Ghana do not
We collected soccer equipment and years now, I have realized the
have the funding for the equipment or
donated many shipments to schools in perception Americans have of Africa.
staff to run athletic programs. I
Ghana and within our home This program can help fix many
strongly believe that if sports became
communities. Through Athlete to Atleta misconceptions and hopefully have
a larger part of school in Ghana,
we will try and link the athletes of more American students interested in
school attendance would surely
Dominion High School and schools in going to Africa.
increase.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Caitlyn Ebert, Poland, 2013

Daemen College
New York
completed fixed. Mapping of taught me to not assume things are
cemeteries has become a particularly what I expect them to be and to be
interesting field because of more open-minded about what I might
genealogical research. For Jewish not know.
families there can be a gap in the
knowledge because of unmarked I am hoping to work in areas of law
graves, vandalized graves, and mass that allow me to continue helping
graves. Mapping projects work to people of different backgrounds
restore as many names to graves as understand one other. Individuals
possible. Being able to participate, going through immigration are put into
even for a short time, in this work was high stress situations that they are not
an opportunity that I wanted to familiar with and then faced with legal
experience. challenges. There is often a language
T barrier, but also the technical jargon in
he program I picked allowed me Exploring the cities and towns was law that inhibit understanding. I think
to experience two distinct cultures, one of my favorite parts of studying that I am in an ideal position to
become very immersed in the history abroad. I was surprised how empathize with my clients’ struggle to
of WWII, and give back to an "citizenship" or "ethnicity" was viewed comprehend the complexities of law.
underserved population. The town in Poland, which was very important in
that I spent the majority of my abroad our mapping project. In America, if
experience in was divided between your family traveled over 100 years
occupying Nazi and Soviet troops. The ago you identify as American with “The program I picked
markers and divisions can still be felt Italian or German roots. Many Jewish allowed me to experience
in the town today. This town had one families settled in Poland hundreds of two distinct cultures,
of the largest population of Jewish years before the start of WWII and become very immersed in
residents in Poland. Now there are were never considered "Polish." This is the history of WWII, and
only a handful of Jews living there and still true in modern times, and with give back to an
the cemetery has fallen into disrepair. different ethnicities. Trying to underserved population.”
The vandalizing of this cemetery by understand this distinction, which
the Nazis and Soviets was never seems minor in a lot of ways, has
Follow-on Service Project
My Follow-on Service Project was Global Programs Office, but has not about with others.
study abroad outreach to Daemen been completed yet. The blog is live at
College students. I was asked to the History and Political Science Near the end of the semester, one of
attend several events in the department webpage. These activities the professors, Dr. Tomasz Pudlocki,
community that pertained to all targeted current and future who taught our program in Poland,
expanding this program. students at Daemen College. was able to come to Daemen to give a
guest lecture. I was asked to attend
The History and Political Science The other students that participated in the reception before his lecture to
department at Daemen featured me as this program, as well as myself, were greet professors from Poland,
a Gilman recipient in their blog. I asked to speak to the Buffalo Polish members of the community, and the
participated in the study abroad fair Arts Club about our experiences in guest professor. This was another
and sat on a study abroad panel that Poland. This was an exciting way to exciting way to share my experience
spoke to freshmen students. My practice professional speaking skills in Poland as a Gilman Scholar.
poster is in publication, through the and share something I am passionate
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)
Megan Grable, China, 2012

University of Missouri-Columbia
Missouri
back home. I later found out that the volunteering at the Columbia Area
Gilman Program was in search for a Career Center where I gained hands-
correspondent for the Gilman Global on marketing experience and now
Experience Blog. To my excitement, I work for them as their Social Media
received the position and began Manager. While I enjoyed my new
promoting my study abroad role as a Social Media Manager, I
experience towards an even larger wanted to give back to my community
population. even further. I wanted to share my
experience with the freshmen
I wrote thematic Word Press articles students at Mizzou so I compiled a
highlighting my time spent in China Prezi presentation, study abroad
and compiled video footage for the reference sheet, and reached out to
Gilman team to edit and produce. My students via Twitter and email.
articles and videos were an important
part of my daily routine, and I gained
F “My experience abroad
a deeper understanding while
and volunteer work as a
or my study abroad program I observing cultural differences. The
video blog correspondent
chose the IES Summer Language position allowed me to reflect on my
sparked an interest in
Intensive Program in Beijing, China. I time spent in China, encouraged
journalism and social
realized that the best place to others to someday be in my shoes,
media. I even switched my
practice Mandarin would be in a city and served as the best medium to
emphasis to Marketing
rich in history, culture, and a place remember my memories. I
because of my new-found
unlike anywhere I had ever traveled. collaborated with two fantastic
passion for it.”
Beijing became my home and I met so people from IIE that guided me in my
many wonderful people that I now project and trusted my creative
consider family. instincts with my work. I was chosen
for a once in a lifetime scholarship My continued service to the Gilman
When I first arrived in Beijing I was and volunteer position and the Scholarship will never go away and I
on my own for a week which experience opened up doors for me look forward to promoting the
encouraged me to meet people, when I returned back to the states. Gilman Scholarship to future study
explore new opportunities, and abroad students. I not only became a
practice my language skills. I never My experience abroad and volunteer more well-rounded individual, but I
wanted to forget my experience so I work as a Gilman Global Experience improved my language skills and
began documenting everything on my Blog Correspondent sparked an enhanced my education outside the
personal blog. Writing everyday interest in journalism and social classroom. Without the Gilman
allowed me to share my experiences media. I even switched my emphasis Scholarship I would not be as
with others, promote study abroad, to Marketing because of my new- successful as I am today and for that, I
and connect with friends and family found passion for it. I started thank you.
Follow-on Service Project
During my term abroad I was a exchange to become part of their academic peer groups designed
Gilman Global Experience Blog college experience. exclusively for incoming college
Correspondent for the Gilman Upon returning to the states, I freshmen. For the program, I taught a
Program. In this role, I documented wanted to give back as much as semester FIG course on Study
my experience and encouraged possible. On campus, I was heavily Abroad. In addition, I gave
students to consider international involved with Freshmen Interest presentations to other FIG classes on
Groups (FIGs), which are social and the top reasons to study abroad.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)