MACON – Mercer University had 11 students chosen during the spring selection cycle to receive a total of $46,500 in funding to study abroad through the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program.
- Atia Bailey, a junior law and public policy major, will participate in a faculty-led summer program in Greece.
- Bailey Collins, a freshman mechanical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission trip to South Korea.
- Donnell Cudjoe, a sophomore media studies major, will participate in a spring exchange program in England.
- Sandy Dinh, a freshman biomedical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission trip to Vietnam.
- Mikyraa Dukes, a junior neuroscience major, will participate in a faculty-led summer program in Spain.
- Sydel Idehen, a junior accounting major, will participate in a spring exchange program in Spain.
- Cynthia Osorio-Magana, a freshman biology major, will participate in a faculty-led summer program in France.
- Parth Patel, a freshman biology major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission trip to Vietnam.
- Folajuwon Samo, a junior global health studies major, will participate in a fall affiliate program in Spain.
- Jason Tha Siam Lian, a freshman political science major, will participate in a faculty-led summer program in Spain.
- Abigail Yemisrach, a junior public health major, will participate in a faculty-led summer program in Greece.
“Mercer is known for its amazing study abroad programs, but study abroad can be expensive,” said Patel. “The Gilman Scholarship gave me the opportunity to afford my Mercer On Mission trip and not have to worry about costs, and I am a very happy knowing that. Everyone at Mercer should try to study abroad, and the Gilman Scholarship paves the way for everyone to have that opportunity.”
Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000, or up to $8,000 if also a recipient of the Gilman Critical Need Language Award, to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs.
Mercer is one of the top producers of Gilman Scholars in the country. The University was recognized as both a Gilman Top Producing Institution and a Gilman Greatest Growth Institution for its role in broadening the student population that studies abroad overall, as well as in areas of priority achievement.
In total, a University-record 32 Mercer students will travel abroad as Gilman Scholars over the next year. Mercer had a total of 29 students selected for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The next cycle for the scholarship will open in mid-August for applicants whose in-person programs or internships start between Dec. 1, 2022-Oct. 31, 2023. Virtual programs will be eligible through April 30, 2023. The application deadline is Oct. 6, 2022.
Since the program’s establishment in 2001, a total of 1,350 U.S. institutions have sent more than 34,000 Gilman Scholars of diverse backgrounds to 155 countries around the globe.
The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institution of International Education.
