Jorge Albarran ’17, Sebastian Alegria ’17, and Ting Ting Lin ’18 are among 860 American undergraduate students from 332 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or intern abroad during the fall 2015 academic term. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the award winners are using their scholarship money to attend programs in China, Hong Kong, and Spain.

Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad or internship program costs.  The program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go.  Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply. 

Congressman Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee, commented, “Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates.  Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience.  It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”

Bentley University’s Cronin Office of International Education provides students with academically rigorous and culturally enriching international experiences, preparing them for socially responsible leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. Undergraduate students have the option of studying abroad on a choice of more than 60 programs in over 25 countries around the world.