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New Paltz students receive thousands in study abroad scholarships

Andrew Bruso

The Center for International Programs has announced the names of the six latest SUNY New Paltz students to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad, a highly competitive, federally funded prize awarded by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to undergraduates for academic studies and internships abroad.

The following students will receive up to $5,000 each toward study abroad costs as fall 2016 and academic year 2016-17 Gilman scholarship recipients:

  • gilmanLayla Abdullah ’17 (Sociology), studying in Ecuador.
  • Candice Auguste ’17 (Black Studies, Sociology), studying in Tanzania.
  • Adiaratou Kaba ’18 (Sociology), studying in South Africa
  • Iris Li ’18 (Digital Media Management), studying in Spain.
  • Kevin Liu ’18 (Asian Studies), studying in China.
  • Bryan Rodriguez Guzman ’17 (Biology), studying in Japan.

These scholars join a growing list of New Paltz students who have worked with the Center for International Programs to secure Gilman Scholarship funding. Since 2009, more than 90 New Paltz students have received Gilman Scholarships, the most of any public institution in New York State, with total awards in excess of $300,000.

“Receiving a Gilman Scholarship makes study abroad a reality for students who may not be able to afford the experience otherwise,” said Christian Wilwohl, study abroad program director.

Helping students access scholarships like the Gilman has been key to the Center for International Programs’ effort to boost overall study abroad participation.

As a signatory to the IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative, SUNY New Paltz has pledged to increase the percentage of students who study abroad during their time at the College to 30 percent.

New Paltz student participation in study abroad has already increased from 14 percent in 2013 to 23 percent in 2016.

Fall 2015 Gilman Scholar Stephanie Fernandez '16 perched above one of the Galapagos Islands while studying abroad in Ecuador.
Fall 2015 Gilman Scholar Stephanie Fernandez ’16 perched above one of the Galapagos Islands while studying abroad in Ecuador.

Students with an interest in learning more about study abroad, including info about scholarship opportunities, can visit the Center for International Programs online.

Additional details about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship can be found at the website of the IIE.