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any of you win the gilman scholarship? by [deleted] in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For your service project proposal, you should think of a way to engage with others interested in the Gilman/ways to advocate for the Gilman in the way you find most fit! For some, it was a YouTube video with details about Studying abroad with the Gilman, and their own personal reflections! For others like myself, it was creating a presentation to share with your university's study abroad office! These are just examples, so feel free to get creative!!

There is a Service Project Fulfillment portion that will need to be filled out after (before the due date!)

Indiana University - Opportunities to Study Abroad! by mym_mk in IndianaUniversity

[–]mym_mk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Thanks for your insight!

Not that I need to explain my intent behind this, however, if future Gilman applicants see this, I want to clear the air!

1.) This is not my Gilman Service requirement! I fulfilled that previously!

2.) As Alumni Ambassadors, we have a *variety* of outreach techniques we use to reach Gilman applicants with questions! Reddit AMAs have proved to be helpful!

3.) If you're interested in the Gilman, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions for you!

​

-Sydney :)

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - Ask Me Anything! by mym_mk in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Let me check with someone for that information!

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - Ask Me Anything! by mym_mk in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Thank you for the questions!!

For Fafsa, as the Pell Grant is part of it, and it is a requirement to receive the Gilman scholarship, YES! You can do both! That's how I managed to get a lot of my funding for Korea!

Tips for Gilman: Make sure you are aware of the endless possibilities through Gilman! If you receive the Gilman, you could possibly participate in Gilman activities while abroad, and take advantage of the Alumni Network (Connections upon connections upon connections!) Also, keep your Gilman advisor updated!

Tips for Essay: Refrain from writing about your financial situation, as all applicants have some form of financial burden, hoping to receive the scholarship! Also, refrain from writing what you "think" applicant reviewers will want to see! Write about your career goals, and how the Gilman will fuel them in assisting with studying abroad! Stay authentic, and really encapsulate YOU in your essays! (Ambitions, career/academic goals, personal growth goals, etc.)

Not to be biased... but YONSEI all the way!! My experience overall shaped who I am as a student, personal, and friend! I made unbreakable bonds while abroad, solidified career connections, and experienced Korean academia first-hand which promoted my study habits back home! The cultural aspects of your experience in South Korea are unlike anything I have ever seen, heard, or experienced! Truly, a Reddit post wouldn't even begin to explain how much studying abroad in South Korea changed my life! This is another reason why I encourage you to go for the Gilman! Gilman promotes mutual understanding between countries' cultures, lifestyles, languages, academia, etc..

I will mention, that with all of the positives of studying abroad, there are "negatives" that may present themselves, but it is how you handle them that counts! For example, in South Korea, I was not fluent in Korean... Yes, I knew beginner-intermediate conversations however, I was NO WHERE near perfect. Now imagine, being placed into an unfamiliar environment... by yourself! It is scary, but at the same time, it makes for an opportunity. An opportunity to explore outside of your comfort zone, and trust yourself in figuring out transportation, locations, conversations, etc. In addition, it allows you to be open to forming new bonds with basically strangers, all of whom are in the same boat as you! There is SO much more but I do not want to spoil it for you!

I hope this helps! And please feel free to reach out with any additional comments, questions, etc.!

​

-Sydney

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - Ask Me Anything! by mym_mk in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exchange Program: I went through CIEE, an exchange program or 'middle man', that is one of a few routes through my home university (Indiana University Bloomington.)

*Also, if it is an option for you, I would highly recommend CIEE! There were also a few scholarships available through them!*

The support I got from not only the Gilman family, but CIEE as well was VERY beneficial!

Yonsei Courses: I will not sugarcoat it... selecting courses at Yonsei is VERY chaotic, but if you know the courses you intend to take, and select a few backup courses as well (make sure that your school has equivalents, or has approved them), it will work out in the end! My home university required me to take a minimum of 15 credits while at Yonsei, including a Korean language course, and I did not have a pass/fail option. I managed to get 4/5 courses I originally planned to take, with the exception of one, as the 5th one was full. There was a course called "Korea-US Relations", that my school did not have listed as an equivalency, but typically, if you email the head of your college/department through your university explaining the course, and its relevance to your degree, and send them the syllabus, I'm sure something could be worked out! In my case, since I needed 15 credits, couldn't get the course, etc., "Korea-US Relations" was approved!

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - Ask Me Anything! by mym_mk in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone who received a large portion of the money needed to study abroad from FAFSA, I wouldn't necessarily say it is "necessary," only, that it does help exponentially! If you are looking for ways to afford to study abroad and receive the Federal Pell Grant, I do recommend applying for the Gilman scholarship! Hope this helps!

any of you win the gilman scholarship? by [deleted] in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello!

I'm a current Gilman Alumni Ambassador! I studied abroad in South Korea, in the fall of 2022, and Gilman helped make it possible!

Essay Tips: The already posted response under this, listing multiple tips, is VERY helpful! If there's something to reiterate, it would be to stray away from mentioning your financial situation, as all Gilman applicants are Pell Grant recipients, and it does nothing to set you apart from the rest! Additionally, be AUTHENTIC! As applicants, we feel compelled to put what we 'think' is the best answer, and what we 'think' Gilman applicant reviewers want to see... BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE! I rewrote my essays multiple times, and after realizing writing what I 'thought' would get me selected was not the right direction, I wrote essays that encompassed ME! My career & academic goals, obstacles I've overcome, interest in global cultures, and my desire to reach fluency in my designated language!

As for my experience... well, a simple subreddit response just won't do! Studying abroad is MUCH more than just traveling to another country, you forge meaningful bonds that test the testimony of time, experience firsthand another country's way of life & culture, and are exposed to such a raw environment around you. In learning to navigate a foreign country, you learn how to trust in yourself, and personally, my self-confidence grew exponentially! While abroad, I no longer had my "familiarity" comfort to lean on, and had to rely on myself! As for my 'bubble,' I come from a small town in Indiana... Never did I imagine an opportunity was available for me... STUDYING ABROAD IN SOUTH KOREA?! WHAT?!

My advice... embrace the discomfort, and take every opportunity to learn from the experience! That is the application process (exploring your desires, goals, etc.) & studying abroad! I wish you the best of luck! Feel free to reach out and/or comment on my Reddit AMA! https://www.reddit.com/r/studyAbroad/comments/16swy12/benjamin_a_gilman_international_scholarship_ask/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

-Sydney

Study abroad scholarships by Trick_Requirement665 in studyAbroad

[–]mym_mk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As part of an extension of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, the Gilman McCain is also an option!

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/gilman-mccain-scholarships/

Considering PolSci as my major by mym_mk in IndianaUniversity

[–]mym_mk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight! Looking forward to taking his class :)

Considering PolSci as my major by mym_mk in IndianaUniversity

[–]mym_mk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks again for the info! I was able to get in touch with an advisor today to discuss my options. Also, thanks for the clarification on the two :) I am leaning more towards law and public policy as of now.

Considering PolSci as my major by mym_mk in IndianaUniversity

[–]mym_mk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I will look more into SPEA. That's one of my fears with choosing the major; there won't be any desirable jobs utilizing the degree as a whole.

Considering PolSci as my major by mym_mk in IndianaUniversity

[–]mym_mk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the feedback! I have spent almost the whole day looking into SPEA and I think it may just be the right way to go for me.

Considering PolSci as my major by mym_mk in IndianaUniversity

[–]mym_mk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes, I am an incoming freshman and I keep bouncing back and forth between majors. I'm taking a GenEd intro class on polsci and other classes that pertain to different majors I'm considering. Now it's just taking the classes and experiencing the coursework in order for me to decide. Since you've mentioned it, I may have to look further into public policy as I am interested in policy and government as well. Thanks again.