The University of Central Florida (UCF) has achieved a significant milestone by having 28 students awarded the prestigious Gilman Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. This scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports undergraduates in their pursuit of study or internships abroad, emphasizing the importance of global education.
This year’s record number of recipients reflects UCF’s commitment to expanding its international reach and providing high-impact learning experiences. The selected scholars will travel to various countries, including Spain, Japan, South Korea, France, and Costa Rica, to enhance their academic and professional skills.
Scholars Embark on Diverse Academic Journeys
The recipients represent a wide range of disciplines and interests, from healthcare to engineering. For instance, Cameron Alexis, a finance major, aims to work in international project management. His recent study abroad experience in Tokyo and Seoul provided insights into public transportation and urban planning, allowing him to understand how these systems serve local communities. “I started to see how intentional infrastructure design was,” says Alexis, emphasizing the need for adaptable projects that meet diverse needs.
Similarly, Stefy Batres, studying communication sciences and disorders, will travel to Barcelona to explore the psychology of art. She aims to integrate creative therapy methods into her future work as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, particularly for children from varied linguistic backgrounds. Her bilingual experience, having lived in Chile and Honduras, enhances her understanding of communication challenges.
Another scholar, Ethan Bell, is a biomedical sciences major preparing for a summer internship at an emergency clinic in Seville. His hands-on experience in healthcare settings, including working in a trauma unit, drives his desire to learn about Spain’s healthcare system and improve his skills as a future physician. Bell emphasizes the importance of effective communication in medical practice, stating, “I want to be the kind of doctor who can communicate across linguistic differences.”
Future Leaders Inspired by Global Perspectives
For Berline Civil, the Gilman Scholarship is an opportunity to explore Spain’s public health infrastructure. Aiming for a career in medicine, she is particularly interested in how universal healthcare operates in practice. Civil plans to engage in public health coursework and observe patient-provider interactions, believing that understanding healthcare systems is crucial to delivering quality care.
First-generation college student Mallorie Simpson, studying aerospace engineering, seeks to enhance her programming skills through the scholarship. She will study object-oriented programming in Barcelona, which she believes will boost her prospects with companies like NASA and SpaceX. Simpson embraces the challenges of studying abroad, stating, “Being uncomfortable is temporary; there’s too much to experience to let doubt take over.”
The Gilman Scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also encourages students to engage with international professionals and learn from different cultural contexts. As these students prepare for their journeys, they embody the spirit of curiosity and adaptability necessary for success in an increasingly globalized world.
For those interested in exploring similar opportunities, UCF encourages inquiries about international and national award programs by contacting [email protected].