7 CofC Students Receive Gilman Scholarships for Study Abroad

“I’m thrilled for our students who were selected as Gilman Scholars over the last year,” says Sidney Woram, director of the College of Charleston Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. “Each one of them was very thoughtful about how their chosen programs and destinations would enrich their academic and professional growth. We can’t wait to see how they will apply what they learned through study abroad to their remaining time at the College of Charleston.”

Advancing Language and Psychology Studies in Germany

The Gilman Scholarship fully funded Gabbie Holt‘s trip and living expenses during a three-month internship in Germany over the summer.

“The Gilman program has allowed me to make significant progress on my German studies requirements, and I will be able to complete it my junior year,” says the Columbia, South Carolina, native. “This allows me to focus more time on my psychology major and work toward getting an internship or doing an independent study now that I will have more time.”

Finding Inspiration in Costa Rica

Rebekah Neussl’s time in Costa Rica offered meaningful, firsthand exposure to conservation work and the communities connected to it.

“As someone who wants to go into conservation journalism, my program was incredibly inspiring because we got to hear directly from conservationists and groups who give back to the land and their communities,” says the Washington, Illinois, native. “Being in such a diverse environment was so amazing because I got to see the environments and wildlife that I want to protect with my work, and it was really rewarding to be able to get this experience and solidify my decisions for my future.”

Discovering New Possibilities in London

Michelle Rangel’s experience in London broadened her possibilities, bringing her academic and professional interest into focus.

“Before this experience, returning abroad for graduate school, public-service work or a career in theater felt exciting but abstract. London made those possibilities tangible,” says the Bluffton, South Carolina, native. “I want an academic and professional life that allows me to move between disciplines, countries and communities – to understand the world, make a meaningful difference within it and tell stories that might change how other people understand it, too. London did not give me one fixed answer about my future; it gave me something more valuable: a much larger future to choose from.”