A record-setting 28 students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) have been awarded the prestigious Gilman Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. This scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports undergraduates wishing to study or intern abroad. The selection of these students highlights UCF’s dedication to expanding its global reach and providing transformative learning experiences.
This year’s recipients represent a diverse range of academic disciplines and destinations, including Spain, Japan, South Korea, and France. Among them are students such as Cameron Alexis, a finance major who will travel to Japan, and Stefy Batres, who will study in Spain to explore the psychology of art. Each recipient will gain invaluable international experience, enhancing their skills and broadening their perspectives in their respective fields.
Individual Experiences and Aspirations
The Gilman Scholarship enables students to immerse themselves in different cultures while pursuing academic and professional growth. For instance, Cameron Alexis aims to work in international project management, focusing on sustainable infrastructure. His recent experience in Tokyo and Seoul, funded by the Gilman Scholarship, allowed him to study urban design and public transportation systems. Alexis remarked, “I started to see how intentional infrastructure design was and how different the planning looked from what I’d seen in the U.S.”
Stefy Batres, studying communication sciences and disorders, plans to leverage her time in Barcelona to investigate how art can aid communication for children facing speech challenges. With her background as a bilingual individual who has lived in multiple countries, she is particularly interested in adapting therapy methods to accommodate diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Ethan Bell, a biomedical sciences major, will intern at an emergency clinic in Seville, Spain. His prior experience in a trauma intensive care unit has fueled his desire to enhance medical care globally. Bell plans to take intensive Spanish courses while abroad to bridge language barriers and improve patient interactions. He stated, “I want to be the kind of doctor who can communicate across linguistic differences.”
Exploring Global Healthcare and Engineering
Other scholars, such as Berline Civil, are using their scholarships to explore healthcare systems internationally. Civil, also a biomedical sciences major, will spend her summer in Barcelona examining the public health infrastructure and the country’s universal healthcare model. “To be a good doctor, you need more than clinical skills,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of understanding patient experiences.
In the field of engineering, Mallorie Simpson, who is pursuing aerospace engineering, aims to study programming in Barcelona. She understands that developing multilingual skills is essential for her future career, especially with companies like SpaceX and NASA. Simpson’s commitment to learning reflects her belief that stepping outside her comfort zone will yield significant benefits, stating, “Being uncomfortable is temporary.”
As these students embark on their journeys, they represent the growing importance of global perspectives in education. Their experiences will not only enrich their personal and professional lives but also contribute positively to the communities they engage with during their time abroad.
UCF encourages students interested in similar international opportunities to reach out for guidance on available programs by contacting [email protected]. The growing number of Gilman Scholars at UCF underscores the university’s commitment to fostering a globally-minded student body.
