Eight University of Iowa (UI) students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support study and internship experiences abroad in 2026.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship provides funding for students with financial need to gain international experience and develop skills essential for today’s global workforce. As part of the program, recipients also complete a follow-on service project to share their experiences and promote study abroad opportunities with their peers.
The 2026 cohort will study and intern in locations including Ireland, South Africa, Greece, Singapore, France, and Chile.
“The 2026 Gilman scholars are eager to engage with the world,” said Teresa Kout, assistant director of scholarships for Study Abroad in International Programs at the University of Iowa. “It is encouraging to see our future in the hands of capable, committed, and thoughtful individuals who are willing to step outside their comfort zones and grow through these experiences.”
Meet this year’s recipients:
Kate Crawford, a fourth-year management major from Solon, Iowa, will intern in Dublin, Ireland, through the IES Internships Dublin program.
“I knew I wanted to do an internship abroad at some point in my academic career, but I originally did not have a location in mind. Once I started to solidify my plan to go, I was assigned to my advisors, Monica and Andrea. Monica helped me get started with the application process, and once that was completed, I met with Andrea, who connected me with my internship, which couldn't be a better match. While I am studying business management, I also have my EMT license through the Army and my esthetician’s license. This internship will help me to understand the balance of running your own business and medical practices. Outside of work, I am hoping to travel and see as much of Ireland as I can, and hopefully surrounding countries as well.”
Molly Martin, a third-year therapeutic recreation major from Palo, Iowa, will study in Cape Town, South Africa, through the Child Life Experiential Learning program.
“I decided to study abroad in South Africa for a couple of reasons. First, the program made the most sense for my major, therapeutic recreation. Second, I wanted a different experience compared to the ‘norm’ for studying abroad, as a lot of people go to Europe. Lastly, the program is led by Bri Swope, and I love her, so that was an added bonus!
I see this experience reshaping how I see people and the world. I have had the opportunity to go abroad before, but that was for vacation. I really hope that I can gain a different perspective on how people experience and live their lives in an environment that is different from mine, and I can take that perspective with me moving forward.
Studying abroad is important to me because I believe the world is simply too big to stay in one place your whole life. I want to go out and explore, experience, and immerse myself in different cultures.”
Nikita McNamee, a fourth-year English and creative writing major from Melbourne, Iowa, will study in Dublin, Ireland, through the Irish Writing Program.
“The most important reason I decided to study abroad in Dublin on the Irish Writing Program is that I am an English and creative writing major and I want to strengthen the writing I do. A big part of the program includes workshops, which I always find to be greatly useful as a tool for improving the way I write. The last two reasons are that I have Irish heritage but have never traveled outside the United States before. I thought Ireland would be the perfect location, then, to reconnect with my roots!
A part of the Gilman Scholarship involves a follow-on service project, which includes spreading important information about both the Gilman Program and studying abroad as an academic endeavor. I plan to use the knowledge and experience I obtain in Ireland to reach out to my particular communities here in Iowa, such as the first-generation and transfer student communities, which I see being very rewarding as a means to give people opportunities they otherwise wouldn't be aware of.
By going abroad and learning about another culture, I believe people can learn about one another and grow as a result. It's more than just a networking opportunity, it's a way to expand the global community, which is something I care about deeply.”
Kaylee Olson, a fourth-year psychology major from Sioux City, Iowa, will study in Thessaloniki, Greece, on the Anatolia American University Program.
“I decided to study abroad in Greece because I've always been drawn to its history and culture, and I wanted the chance to experience it beyond the classroom. Learning about it academically is valuable, but actually being there and engaging with the environment makes it much more meaningful to me. I also wanted to challenge myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone, and Greece felt like the right place to do that in a way that is both exciting and growth-oriented.
I expect this experience will help me become more independent and confident, while also strengthening how I understand and work with others. As someone planning to go into a field working with underrepresented populations, developing cultural competence is really important to me. I see this experience as an important first step in engaging directly with different cultures, which will help me become more open-minded and intentional in how I interact with people from diverse backgrounds. That perspective is essential to creating more inclusive spaces and is something I hope to carry into my future career.
Studying abroad is important to me because it's one of the few opportunities where learning happens just as much through daily life as it does through academics. I believe firsthand cultural experience is essential for building a collective understanding and appreciation of diversity.”
Charles Silver, a fourth-year economics and finance major from Davenport, Iowa, will intern in Singapore through the CIEE Summer Global Internship program.
“As a resident assistant, I am not allowed to study abroad during the standard academic year due to work obligations. A summer internship enables me to explore a part of the world while still allowing me to gain professional experience prior to applying to law school.
Through incorporating a globalized viewpoint into my professional experience, I will stand out on future internship applications and my eventual law school applications. With an increasingly competitive law school admissions landscape, any edge that I can work toward will help.
When the only perspective you understand is your own, you are vulnerable to the ignorance of your personal context. In all areas of life, seeking diverse views of an issue overcomes the hurdle of believing what is familiar is best.”
Roxy Ekberg, a fourth-year journalism and mass communication major from Wakefield, Nebraska, will intern in Dublin, Ireland, through the CIEE Intern + Study program.
“I decided to pursue an internship in Dublin, Ireland, because of the newsroom experience the program would provide. I not only want to experience a new culture, but also experience the news industry in Ireland. The internship component of this program is especially important to me because my career has been shaped by learning through doing.
Working abroad will strengthen qualities essential to ethical reporting: empathy and cultural awareness. In my own reporting and the content I oversee, I prioritize humanizing political issues by centering the voices of people directly impacted by policy. Exposure to a different political system and a new community would deepen this commitment and help me approach reporting with greater nuance and sensitivity.
I envision this experience leading to personal and professional growth. I am from a small town in Nebraska, and I had not traveled prior to coming to college and going on work trips. I’ve never left the country. This time abroad will expand my worldview and lead to many new experiences. During my time abroad, I aim to develop a stronger understanding of politics and media. Professionally, I will work to strengthen my communication skills and refine my reporting skills.”
Esmeralda Houssou, a third-year finance major from Iowa City, Iowa, will study in Paris, France, through the CIEE Open Campus program.
“I’ve always loved France. I grew up in Togo, a country that has historical ties to France. I learned and used French in school and remember watching French TV with my family at night. Also, I love croissants and really want to eat one from France.
I want to be an international business lawyer, so I see this impacting my future by giving me international experience and helping me learn the business model of another country.
I think being well informed and knowledgeable about the world is really important. I value study abroad because it gives me an opportunity to gain those skills, learn from people who are different from me, and grow in a new environment.”
Samantha Khamphilanouvong, a fourth-year Spanish major from Ottumwa, Iowa, will study in Chile through the IES Abroad Santiago Health Studies program.
“I decided on this program because it aligns with all of my passions and interests: healthcare, Spanish, and public health.
Not only does this program fulfill credits toward my Spanish major and Public Health Certificate, but it also includes a healthcare observership where I can shadow physicians in Chilean hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. As a pre-dental student, I have shadowed before, but studying abroad gives me the opportunity to learn Chile’s healthcare system, the cultural aspects of medicine, and strengthen my medical Spanish while building confidence using the language in real clinical settings.
In addition to language, this experience will expand my understanding of how healthcare is delivered in different communities. This perspective will help shape how I approach patient care in the future, especially when working with underserved populations.
Overall, studying abroad will help me grow in independence, adaptability, and cultural awareness. These are all skills that will be essential as I continue my path toward becoming a dentist focused on improving access to healthcare and providing culturally responsive care. Studying abroad is not just an academic opportunity for me, but an experience that will shape how I approach healthcare and the communities I hope to serve.”
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.