Three LMU students have been selected to receive a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad travel during the 2023-24 academic year. Juliette Jamjian ’25 was awarded a scholarship to fund study in Hungary this spring. Lizzie Joiner ’24 is studying abroad this fall in Aix-en-Provence, France, and Kyle Kaplan ’24 will be studying this fall at Fordham University in London.
“I commend and congratulate our accomplished students on receiving the Gilman,” said Roberta Espinoza, Ph.D., vice provost for Global-Local Affairs. “Being awarded such a prestigious scholarship highlights their dedication and passion to becoming global persons who will be equipped to make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable and equitable world.”
Sponsored by the U.S. State Department, all undergraduates who receive a Pell Grant are eligible to apply for the Gilman. Because of its focus on students with demonstrated financial need, the scholarship provides global learning opportunities for students who have historically been underrepresented in study abroad.
Joiner studies international relations, a major that includes a study abroad requirement. But before learning about the Gilman, she was concerned about how she would fund her study abroad experience.
“I have always wanted to travel to France and different countries around the world, but with financial constraints, that was never a possibility,” said Joiner. “However, with the support of different offices on campus, I’ve been able to win the Gilman Scholarship and other grants that have allowed me to study abroad. The financial assistance is what made me actively pursue studying abroad.”
Jamjian credits the Office of National and International Fellowships (ONIF) with helping her improve her essays and other application materials.
“When writing my essays, I was able to meet with Cassidy Alvarado from ONIF to receive feedback and advice on what I had written so far,” said Jamjian. “I received great feedback and advice regarding what I could add to my essays to make them better as well as how I can improve my writing. She also helped me improve my follow-on service project essay with great suggestions. I always felt like I had someone at ONIF that I could reach out to if I had any questions.”
The support that Jamjian and Joiner received from various LMU offices reflects the university’s commitment to making transformative global learning experiences available for all students.
“LMU is dedicated to supporting and connecting students’ ambitions with global opportunities like the Gilman scholarship that opens the world’s doors to every deserving student,” said Espinoza. “This dedication is part of our effort to make global learning accessible to all of our students so they graduate as global minded problem solvers ready to make a contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that tackle the severe social inequalities encountered by people around the world and our planet.”
Jamjian and Joiner are both excited to pursue study abroad opportunities that align with their majors and future career goals, and to experience new cultures. Jamjian, a marketing major and a screenwriting minor, will be studying screenwriting abroad.
“I have chosen to study abroad in Budapest because I am enamored by the rich culture I will have the opportunity to learn about and experience while studying screenwriting at ELTE, a prestigious school,” said Jamjian. “One of the most intriguing parts about Budapest is the architecture that I will be able to visit there and in the rest of Hungary. As a Catholic who has only heard of St. Stephen’s Basilica, it excites me that I will be able to finally visit it in person. It is important to me to immerse myself fully in Hungarian culture and learn as much as I can about the history of Hungary while also continuing my education in screenwriting.”
Joiner hopes her time in France will help her improve her French, a language that will be helpful for her career aspirations.
“I want to go to law school and work for the United Nations because it’s a great way to use my international relations degree,” said Joiner. “I’m excited to be able to use my French because French is the U.N.’s second language. Studying abroad really is a way to benefit my future career.”
The students were also awarded a Gilman Incentive Grant, which is available to LMU students who work with ONIF to submit a polished Gilman Scholarship application. This new award is made possible through a Study Abroad and ONIF partnership.
The internal campus deadline for the Gilman Scholarship application is Sept. 21. Visit ONIF’s website to learn more about workshops and other resources for Gilman applicants.
