In 2021, two College of Journalism and Mass Communications undergraduate students were among 31 who earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support credit-bearing study abroad, internship abroad, or virtual international opportunities.
The Gilman is a nationally competitive scholarship awarded twice a year by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education.
Michael Earnest, a junior sports media and communications and broadcasting double major, received the award in March 2021 to study in Japan. Gary Marshall, a senior advertising and public relations major, received the award in October 2021 to study in the United Kingdom.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Gilman program is allowing recipients to use their scholarships to pursue online courses or virtual intensive language programs at institutions based outside of the United States, virtual faculty-led study abroad programs or virtual international internships through summer 2022. The program also regularly updates its list of eligible countries for student participation in accordance with the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisories.
In addition to advising students during the Gilman application process with the Office of National and International Fellowships, Nebraska’s Education Abroad Office continues to support students seeking to go abroad in alignment with the university’s and Department of State’s travel policies. The office has also expanded global virtual learning opportunities in response to the pandemic, including adding new Global Experience courses, remote internships and affiliated virtual programs.
The Gilman scholarship represents underrepresented undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints, and aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries and to study languages—especially critical need languages. Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward program costs and may receive up to an additional $3,000 to study a critical language.
Recipients of the March 2021 application cycle participate between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, and recipients of the October 2021 cycle participate between Dec. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022.
The next cycle of Gilman scholarship applications is due March 1. Interested students should contact the Education Abroad Office at educationabroad@unl.edu or visit the Gilman Program website for more details.
