Out of thousands of applicants nationwide, 9 University of Iowa (UI) students—eight of whom are Iowa natives—have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 to support study or internship experiences abroad.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship enables students to gain critical global experiences, enhancing their academic and professional trajectories.

“These students represent the best of Iowa—curious, driven, and globally minded,” said Teresa Kout, assistant director of scholarships for Study Abroad in International Programs at Iowa. “It’s a joy to support them through the application process and see their dreams take flight.”

Meet this year’s recipients:
 

Dafny (Lucy) Hernandez Garcia, a third-year psychology major from Malcom, Iowa, will intern in Tokyo through the CIEE Tokyo Summer Global Internship program.

“Studying abroad is important to me because it offers a chance to grow beyond the classroom and experience the world from a new perspective. I have always dreamt of visiting Japan. Living in Japan will allow me to fully immerse myself in the culture while developing both professionally and personally.

Working in a dynamic and globally influential city will expose me to innovative business practices and a strong work ethic, as I will be an assistant recruitment intern. I expect to gain hands-on experience, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and build a global network that will be invaluable in any international career path I pursue.”
 

Eleana Lemus, a fourth-year international relations major with a Spanish minor from Council Bluffs, Iowa, will study in Spain through the Iowa Hispanic Institute.

“Studying abroad is important because it provides me with the chance to immerse myself in a different culture while studying a language I care deeply about. It is such a great way of getting outside of my usual bubble of people and experiences.

I hope this experience will not only grant me the opportunity to upgrade my minor to a major but will also allow me the space to grow holistically as I develop my cultural awareness and knowledge. This experience relates back to my goal of working internationally and gives me the edge when looking for new opportunities. Especially as an international relations major, it allows me the chance to witness the world order from a different perspective as I grow my understanding of the relationships between different countries and blocs.”  

Brandy Lopez, a third-year human physiology major with a minor in global health studies from Nichols, Iowa, will participate in the SIT Kenya Internship on Public Health in the Tropics program.

“Studying abroad is important to me because it is one of the few opportunities I will get during my college career to travel to a different country and have hands-on experience within my field of study. I am more than ready to learn and be of help to the communities in Kenya. I know my time abroad will bring me so much knowledge and experience for my future endeavors. I am beyond grateful and excited for what’s to come!

With HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis being prevalent diseases in Kenya, I will be able to see first-hand what steps are taken in public health to ensure that patients and the public are taking important measures for a healthy environment.

As a first-generation student, it is experiences like this that will really empower me to become the future physician I want to be. Exposing myself to different groups, demographics, and situations will only teach me how to respond with the best care possible. As an aspiring physician, I recognize the responsibility that comes with it, and I only wish I could provide the best care I can to those who need it.”

Veronica Ramirez, a second-year global health studies major from Clinton, Iowa, will intern in South Africa through the IES Internships Cape Town program.

“I chose to pursue a summer internship in Cape Town, South Africa, because I am deeply passionate and committed to making a meaningful impact through service. Through the University of Iowa, I have been exposed to and part of several volunteer initiatives which helped me develop a sense of passion for service.

Through immersing myself in a new cultural and healthcare setting, I believe that it will enhance my cultural competence which will be an essential skill for providing empathetic and effective care for diverse patients I may encounter in my future career. This experience will help me be better equipped to serve patients with greater sensitivity and awareness throughout my career in healthcare.”

Mercy Schaffert, a third-year economics major from Davenport, Iowa, will intern in Italy through the IES Internships Milan program.

“I'm majoring in economics, and I find Milan's position as a hub of business and fashion very interesting. I feel it will be a good place for me to explore my personal and professional interests. Additionally, it's a beautiful city, and close to everywhere I want to travel to.

I hope to become much more adaptable and competent in unfamiliar environments. Beyond a change in mindset, I would love to work in international business one day, and I hope this will open doors to that end.

Travel has always been a priority for me, and I've always wanted to spend a bit of time living abroad. This internship abroad program allows me to do so in a way that is conducive to my professional goals and financially feasible. I'm very excited to immerse myself in a new culture.”

Kiana Shevling-Major, a fourth-year international relations and Japanese major from Geddes, South Dakota, will study in Japan through the Nagoya Summer Language and Culture program.

“I chose the Nagoya Summer Language and Culture study abroad program because I want to elevate my competency in writing, reading, and speaking Japanese. Nagoya is the fourth-largest city in Japan, and the 8-week program consists of intensive Japanese language courses as well as the opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese life and culture. This program will accelerate my Japanese learning and put me in a better position to complete my Japanese major. Further, I will be taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in December, and this program’s rigorous Japanese courses will help me do well on the test.

This program is truly an incredible opportunity that will elevate both my Japanese and international relations studies. International relations majors are also required to complete a senior thesis. I hope to complete my thesis on a topic relating to the foreign policy relationship between Japan and the United States. Immersing myself in Japanese life and culture in Nagoya will foster my understanding of the Japanese perspective on international and global issues.

Studying abroad in Japan will bring unfamiliar environments and challenges with it. Being able to overcome challenges, whether from communication errors to inexperience, is crucial in any career but especially so in cross-cultural diplomacy. Experiencing this first-hand and developing my skills in communication and problem solving is something I believe will make a positive difference in my professional career.”

Sophia Stewart, a third-year human physiology major with a Spanish minor from Waukee, Iowa, will study in Spain through the Iowa Hispanic Institute.

“Studying abroad is important to me because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Most people never have the chance to travel for over a month, let alone live like a local while doing so. I am beyond excited to learn more about Spanish culture and soak in as much as possible while abroad. I chose to study abroad in Spain specifically to improve my Spanish language skills and to experience traveling in Europe for the first time.

This will be my first time traveling without my family, which I think will grant me a lot of independence. Additionally, this experience will allow me to experience what it is like to live in another country, which will help me understand the importance of different cultures on a new level. Lastly, I am hoping that I will walk away from this trip with a newfound confidence in my Spanish speaking skills that I will feel confident holding a conversation with others when I return home, and hopefully, in the future, I will be able to speak Spanish with Spanish-speaking patients.”

Shefa’a Tawil, a fourth-year psychology major with minors in Arabic studies and music from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will study in Jordan through the CET Summer program.

“I decided to study abroad in Jordan this summer to strengthen my Arabic skills in preparation for my future goals, and to immerse myself in the vibrant culture of the Levant. As a Palestinian American, this experience is also a meaningful opportunity to connect more deeply with my Arab identity — something I hold very dear. Living in Jordan will allow me to engage with the language and culture in a way that supports both personal and academic growth. I'm especially excited about participating in CET Jordan because of its strong commitment to language immersion through the language pledge, as well as the chance to live independently.

This study abroad experience is a vital step toward achieving my future goals, as becoming fluent in Arabic is essential to it. I plan to work with Doctors Without Borders in the Middle East — particularly in Palestine — to provide medical care. My passion for this path began in childhood, when I witnessed a harrowing moment involving a member of the Red Crescent providing urgent care and then being targeted for it. I wouldn't realize it until years later, but that moment left a lasting impact on me and inspired a deep commitment to both medicine, human rights, and humanitarian service. I deeply admire the courage and compassion of doctors working in crisis zones, and someday, I aspire to serve with even half the heart that they do.

Studying abroad in a Middle Eastern country is important to me because it allows me to see the world from a different lens, while also strengthening my Arabic skills. One quote that has resonated with me recently is ‘The more languages you know, the more worlds you belong to,’ from Marta Dziurosz. Learning Arabic isn’t just about learning words, it’s about the ability to be a part of a new world and belonging to that world. I’m excited to become part of the new world that Arabic brings.” 

Yasmine Nour, a second-year industrial engineering student from Iowa City, Iowa, will study and intern in Barcelona through CIEE’s Summer Intern + Study Abroad program.

“I wanted to gain real-world experience in a global setting and learn how engineering practices differ across cultures. Studying and interning abroad also gives me a chance to immerse myself in a new culture and develop skills that can’t be learned in a classroom.

This experience will broaden my perspective and help me become more adaptable and culturally aware—qualities that are essential in today’s global workforce. The connections I make and skills I develop will be invaluable for my career in industrial engineering.

Studying abroad is important because it challenges me to step outside my comfort zone and grow both personally and professionally. It offers a unique opportunity to learn in a new environment and gain experiences that will shape my future.” 

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.