By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) — Two Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) students, Alexandra Perez and Jade Rhodes were recently awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support their study abroad experiences. The scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs assists students from diverse backgrounds with engaging in meaningful educational experiences abroad.
Perez, who received $5,000 toward her study abroad experience is a native of Miami Florida, and is the first person in her family to attend college. She says, “Studying abroad in spring 2018 will be the missing piece in my academic career that I’ve been searching for.” She is a TESOL major and will be studying at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Rhodes, the recipient of an $8,000 scholarship, is an International Studies/Asian Studies double major who will be studying at Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan during the spring 2018 semester. “The Japanese language has given me the confidence to educate, inspire, and share experiences with the people I encounter. Studying at Aoyama Gakuin would not only expand my global communication, but increase my global networking and give me an opportunity to improve my Japanese speaking ability and to get an even deeper understanding of the Japanese culture.”
Melissa Matsubara, Director of Study Abroad and International Exchange Programs at HPU assists students throughout the scholarship process and helps them with selecting the best experience for them. She says “the Gilman Program provides greater access for our students to experience learning abroad, both inside and outside of the classroom. I’m thrilled for Alexandra and Jade and I’m excited for this next step in their academic journey.”
For information about HPU’s study abroad programs, visit www.hpu.edu/studyabroad or email studyabroad@hpu.edu.
The Gilman program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go. 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. More information on the program, which is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), can be found here: www.iie.org/gilman.