Cerritos College Student Awarded U.S. Department of States Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad

Maricela Ramos with Dr. Jose FierroCerritos College student Maricela Ramos was awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to study or intern abroad during the summer 2017 academic term.

Maricela, English literature major, received $3,500 towards her study abroad program costs and will immerse herself in Shakespeare’s literature in England for four weeks this summer. She joins 1,200 American undergraduate students from 354 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive Gilman Scholarship. Maricela has been accepted to UCLA, UCSD, and USC.

Cerritos College offers a study abroad workshop for students where a representative from the Gilman Scholarship Program provides information about the study abroad scholarship opportunity to students.

“I am excited to explore Shakespeare’s England, which is a dream comes true for any English literature student,” said Maricela.

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.  Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies -- making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector. 

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.”

 

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