Two Boise State students have been selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to study or intern abroad during the summer and fall 2024 academic term.
Brooke Vandekamp will spend four weeks studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, with the University Studies Abroad Consortium. Vandekamp is a junior majoring in public health. She will continue her public health studies in Spain through a “Spanish for Health Professions: Public Health in Spain” course.
Navee Harris plans to spend the fall semester studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain, with CIS Abroad. Harris is a junior majoring in criminal justice. Harris plans to take Spanish language courses along with communication and business courses.
“We are honored to have two students receive the Gilman Grant this summer and fall,” said Corrine Henke, senior director of Global Learning. “This grant has made it possible for students to study abroad who may not otherwise have had the opportunity. These experiences will impact them for the rest of their lives, and through their Gilman projects, they’ll bring the experience home to share with others and encourage them to study abroad as well.”
Gilman scholars can receive awards of up to $5,000 to support their study abroad or internship program expenses. The initiative aims to broaden the diversity of students who engage in international study and internships, as well as the variety of countries and regions they visit. Eligibility extends to students who are recipients of Federal Pell Grants from both two-year and four-year institutions, provided they are studying abroad or participating in career-focused international internships for academic credit. Scholarship winners have the chance to deepen their understanding of different cultures, countries, languages and economies, equipping them for future leadership roles in both government and the private sector. This program is managed by the Institute of International Education.