Heartland student awarded study abroad scholarship by U.S. Department of State

[May 05, 2018] 

A Heartland Community College student has been selected to receive a prestigious scholarship for study abroad this summer.

Sydney Hall has been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in Seville, Spain.

The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Sydney will receive $2,500 to apply towards her study abroad program in Spanish language and culture.

“The Gilman is by far the most prestigious and valuable of the scholarship programs out there,” said Zach Petrea, faculty representative for Heartland’s international studies programs (ICISP). “They receive more than ten thousand applicants a year, so it is impressive that Sydney was chosen.”

Sydney Hall is the second Heartland student to receive the Gilman scholarship. Irene Ortega was honored with the award in 2017. Irene, who also studied in Spain with the support of the Gilman, graduated from Heartland last year and transferred to Illinois State University.
 

The Gilman Scholarship supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad and has enabled more than 25,000 outstanding Americans of diverse backgrounds to engage in a meaningful educational experience abroad.

According to the Department of State, the program has successfully broadened U.S. participation in study abroad, while emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study.

[Steve Fast
Associate Director of Public Information
Heartland Community College]