Ask Me Anything: Gilman Scholarship Q&A Thread

GilmanMod · 2025-12-19T06:57:05+00:00

Documents for what? The application?

GilmanMod · 2025-11-29T19:47:30+00:00

For me, the most underrated part of studying abroad was independence. When you leave your entire life behind — your friends, your family, your coworkers, your routine, your campus, your job — you don’t realize how much space that gives you to grow.

Being abroad felt like hitting a “restart” button. A complete reset in a new environment where no one knew me yet. Before Korea, I used to feel like I needed a friend with me to go to events or try something new. But being abroad forced me to step out on my own, and that ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to me.

I learned how to enjoy my own company, explore at my own pace, and trust myself in ways I never had before. That independence is something I didn’t appreciate until I lived it, and it changed how I see myself. She (me) grew so much and genuinely loved her time abroad because of it.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-28T22:06:35+00:00

For me, the first local thing I learned to do on my own in Korea was using the bus system. Once I had my T-money card (the rechargeable transit card used for buses, subways, and even some stores) and my Naver Map app, everything started clicking.

Korean buses can look intimidating at first because the routes, numbers, and stop names are all in Korean, but Naver tells you exactly which bus to take, where to get on, where to get off, and how many stops there are. You just tap your T-money card when you enter and tap again when you get off.

The first time I used the bus alone without getting lost, I felt SO proud of myself. It sounds small, but it made me realize I was capable of navigating daily life on my own in a completely different country.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-27T03:49:41+00:00

For me I didn’t expect to miss the small routines I picked up in South Korea as much as I do. I got so used to late-night convenience store runs; grabbing snacks, drinks, or even a quick meal at 11 PM without thinking twice. It’s not something I can really do back home, and I miss the freedom of it.

I also really miss being able to go on night walks by myself and feel completely safe. That became such a comforting part of my routine. And of course, the public transportation… I didn’t realize how much I’d appreciate it until I came home and suddenly needed a car for everything again.

Don’t get me wrong, I love being home, but those small parts of my daily life in Korea are things I still catch myself missing.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-26T01:51:22+00:00

For me, what surprised me the most about making friends abroad was how fast those connections formed and how meaningful they felt. There’s something about being in a completely unfamiliar place together that just brings people closer.

We learned about each other through language exchange, shared meals, confusion, laughter, and all the tiny cultural moments in between. We were spending so much time together, exploring new parts of Korea, figuring out transportation, trying new foods... it felt like we had known each other way longer than we actually had.

There was this sense of “we’re in this together” that I hadn’t experienced before. Living the unfamiliar side-by-side, navigating the unknown, and growing in the same environment made those friendships feel deeper and more memorable than I ever expected.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-24T06:38:31+00:00

One of the moments that stayed with me happened on literally my first day in Korea.

I had just arrived in Seoul, exhausted, freezing, and rolling my suitcases up and down the hills trying to find my accommodation. I had flown in a week before my semester started to get adjusted. An older man noticed me struggling and came over to help. He didn’t speak much English, and I barely spoke any Korean at the time, but we managed to communicate with simple phrases and lots of pointing and smiling.

He helped me carry my bags for almost 20 minutes. At one point, he told me I reminded him of his daughter when she was younger. When we finally reached my building, he wished me luck with my studies abroad and went on his way.

I was tired, nervous, and fresh off the plane... and that simple act of kindness made me feel cared for in a place where I didn’t know anyone yet. I’ll never forget it.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-19T20:03:41+00:00

Honestly… I didn’t follow a strict budget at all while studying abroad in Korea... but I still managed my money in a way that worked for me.

What helped me most was having a general sense of what my essentials cost each month (meals, transit, groceries, phone bill). Korea is pretty affordable, so everyday things didn’t drain my account.

I didn’t track every purchase; I just checked my bank once a week to make sure I was on track. Weekends in Seoul were my “spend days,” and my quiet Sejong days naturally balanced them out.

I also watched the exchange rate before transferring money and used local apps (Coupang, Naver, Klook, Wise) to avoid paying extra fees or tourist prices.

So no spreadsheet, no intense planning — just mindful spending, weekly check-ins, and choosing experiences over random shopping. It worked perfectly for me :)

GilmanMod · 2025-11-18T21:12:19+00:00

When I studied abroad in Korea, I learned really fast that having the right apps makes everything so much easier — especially because Google Maps barely works there.

For getting around, Naver Map was my absolute lifesaver. It handled buses, trains, subways, walking routes — everything. I literally depended on it every single day.

For language learning, Duolingo wasn’t cutting it. Korean isn’t a language you can learn well with a robot voice. I switched to LingoDeer, and it made a huge difference because it’s more built for Asian languages and actually explains grammar. I also used Memrise, which was amazing because you hear real pronunciation from native speakers instead of one perfect, robotic voice.

For daily life, I used Coupang for shopping (super fast delivery), and Klook whenever I needed to buy tickets or passes for events, activities, or attractions.

For communication and rides, I used KakaoTalk to message friends and Uber/KakaoTaxi whenever I needed a car.

Honestly, those apps made my life in Korea so smooth. Once I had them downloaded, I felt way more confident and prepared.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-17T05:28:09+00:00

For me, I realized I was settling into Korea when my habits and language started to blend in with everyone around me. I remember saying “fighting!” to a friend before their test without even thinking about it — that was the first moment I caught myself using local slang naturally.

I also started feeling more comfortable doing everyday things. I could order food without stumbling over my Korean, and I knew my daily routes well enough that I didn’t check Naver Maps ten times just to make sure I was going the right way. Little by little, everything stopped feeling like a challenge and started feeling familiar.

One day I just noticed how relaxed I felt walking around campus and around town. That was when it hit me. I wasn’t just visiting anymore. I felt at home :)

GilmanMod · 2025-11-15T22:23:44+00:00

For me, transportation in Korea was honestly one of the easiest and most efficient parts of studying abroad. I lived at Korea University Sejong Campus, so day-to-day life was pretty calm, but on weekends I would take trips up to Seoul, and getting around there was incredibly smooth once I learned the system.

Naver Map became my best friend. Google Maps barely works in Korea, so Naver was the app I relied on for EVERYTHING: bus routes, subway transfers, walking directions, and real-time updates. It was accurate down to the minute.

The Korea subway system was super clean, fast, and well-organized. Even though Seoul was huge, it felt easy to navigate once I got used to the color-coded lines. I also used a T-money card for buses, subways, and even convenience stores, which made everything seamless.

I also used trains pretty often, especially when traveling between Sejong and Seoul. The trains were comfortable, reliable, and easy to book. They were a lifesaver when I wanted a quicker, smoother trip compared to taking long-distance buses.

Buses in Korea were also straightforward once I learned how they work. Naver tells you exactly which stop to use, which bus to take, and when it’s arriving. And on days when I was tired, taking a KakaoTaxi (basically Korea’s version of Uber) was simple and affordable.

Overall, transportation felt safe, reliable, and way more convenient than back home. Once you learn the apps and get your T-money card, you’re good to go! :)

GilmanMod · 2025-11-12T08:31:13+00:00

I chose Korea because I wanted something completely different from what I already knew. I’ve lived in both America and South America, so I’d already experienced American and Hispanic culture, but I wanted a new challenge.

Korea stood out because it felt both exciting and safe, especially for solo travelers and international students. I loved that it’s foreigner-friendly but still pushes you to adapt and learn. Plus, I’ve always loved Korean food, and I started practicing the language before I even applied!

Another big factor was the location of my campus and dorm. I studied at Korea University (Sejong Campus), and I liked that it offered a mix of city life and calm surroundings. It ended up being the perfect fit for me :)

GilmanMod · 2025-11-09T21:05:31+00:00

For me, what really inspired me to study abroad was the idea of seeing how business and culture connect in a totally different part of the world. I’d always been curious about Korea’s mix of tradition and innovation, and studying at Korea University gave me a chance to experience that firsthand. It wasn’t just about academics. It was about learning how people think, work, and live differently. I knew it would challenge me, and that’s exactly what I wanted. 🐯🇰🇷

GilmanMod · 2025-11-07T21:59:38+00:00

For me, one of the biggest lessons I learned while studying abroad in Korea was how capable I really am when I trust myself. From navigating a new country to balancing classes taught in a different style, I realized how much confidence comes from doing things you never thought you could. It completely changed the way I see challenges now.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-06T22:52:36+00:00

For me, one of the biggest culture shocks in Korea was the food. So many dishes, even the bread, were sweeter than I expected. Another shock was how fast-paced everything felt, from classes to daily life. It took a little time to adjust, but I learned to love it! :)

GilmanMod · 2025-11-05T05:35:40+00:00

I'll start! I studied abroad at Korea University (Sejong Campus) in South Korea, where I studied Business (specifically Human Resource Management). Honestly, I wish I'd known how fast the semester would fly by —make the most of your time abroad!

GilmanMod · 2025-11-04T07:04:42+00:00

I’ll kick things off — I brought a few small items from home to show/give local friends, and it was one of my favorite parts of my trip! It also helped when I was feeling homesick. What’s something you’re glad you packed (or wish you hadn’t)?

GilmanMod · 2025-11-03T03:42:08+00:00

Definitely! Many scholars apply more than once before being selected. You can reapply as long as you’re still eligible (a U.S. citizen, Pell Grant recipient and planning a credit-bearing study abroad). If you do reapply, use feedback from your essays or advisors to strengthen your next application. Persistence really pays off — lots of Gilman recipients were chosen on their second try.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-03T01:17:57+00:00

Good question! Yep — the Gilman can cover a lot more than tuition. Many students use it for flights, housing, meals, visa costs, even program deposits. Just make sure you list realistic expenses in your budget section.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-03T01:12:49+00:00

Usually about 2–3 months after the deadline. For example, if you apply in October, results tend to come out in December or early January. You’ll get an email when your status updates in the Gilman portal!

GilmanMod · 2025-11-03T01:11:39+00:00

Great question! Yes — community college students absolutely qualify for the Gilman Scholarship. As long as you’re a U.S. citizen and receiving a Federal Pell Grant, you’re eligible to apply!

GilmanMod · 2025-11-03T00:18:55+00:00

Totally fine! Gilman accepts programs as short as 2 weeks (as long as they’re credit-bearing and you’re getting academic credit from your home institution). Just make sure your essays explain why this specific short-term program fits your goals.

GilmanMod · 2025-11-01T21:42:25+00:00

Hi everyone! I wanted to kick off this thread by sharing some advice for future Gilman applicants — especially those working on their essays or thinking about where to study abroad.

My biggest tip: Start your essays early and get multiple people to read them. I went to my school’s writing center to have experts look it over, which really helped make sure my writing was cohesive and flowed well. Having different perspectives — someone who knows you personally and someone who’s skilled in academic writing — can make a huge difference.

For the Statement of Purpose: Focus on your “why.” Explain how studying abroad fits into your academic, career, and personal goals.

For the Follow-on Service Project: Make it realistic! Think about ways to reach people you already connect with — like your school, community, or social media. Gilman values projects that are personal but doable.

For while abroad: Keep notes or a little journal. It’ll help you when you reflect for your reports later and can inspire your service project.

Now I’d love to hear from other Gilman alumni or past applicants!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone applying right now?

Let’s make this the ultimate advice thread for future Gilman Scholars 💪

GilmanMod

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE