28 UF students awarded Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad

The International Center at the University of Florida announced 28 UF students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, these scholarships will support the students as they study or intern abroad during the summer 2024 or fall 2024 term.

These students will be traveling to a diverse array of countries including Belgium, Croatia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. In total, UF students have been awarded $100,000 in scholarships this term. 

The U.S. Department of State awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to approximately 2,100 undergraduate students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the spring 2024 cycle. The Gilman Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by providing financial support to undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The program encourages students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries and world regions. Last year, 27 UF students traveled to 14 countries with $94,000 in scholarships.

All recipients of the Gilman Scholarship are Pell Grant recipients, indicating significant financial need. Nationally, 60% of Gilman recipients come from rural areas and small towns, and half are first-generation college or university students.

“We are delighted that so many deserving students will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, languages, and economies thanks to the Gilman Scholarship Program. These experiences will make them better leaders, professionals, and global citizens, which are some of the key goals of our study abroad programs. They’ll also be wonderful ambassadors for the U.S. and the Gator Nation,” said Marta L. Wayne, dean of the UF International Center and associate provost.

Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 41,000 Gilman scholars have studied or interned in over 160 countries around the globe. Supported by the U.S. Congress, the Gilman Scholarship is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is implemented by the Institute of International Education.

For more information on UF study abroad opportunities, visit the UF Study Abroad Services.