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Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the scholarship program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad, as well as expand the variety of countries they visit.
“I am thrilled that Alyssa was selected as one of 1,150 undergraduate students from 377 colleges and universities across the U.S. to receive the scholarship. She is the second CNR student to be named a Gilman Scholar," said Silvana Bajana, director of Latino and international initiatives.
Medina aspires to a career in veterinary medicine, She has volunteered for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s 96 Elephants campaign and at a veterinary office in the Bronx.
In Costa Rica, she will take courses in Spanish and environmental studies at Veritas University in San José.
“By studying in an area of such high biodiversity,” she said. “I will be exposed to the interactions between land vertebrates and people living in cities, whose cultural values impact the surrounding rainforest.” Gilman said.
Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. 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 for the scholarship.
Medina is also a recipient of CNR’S Russell and Deborah Taylor Foundation Scholarship, which covers half of the costs associated with study abroad.
The scholarship is named for Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee.
The program is administered by the Institute of International Education.
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