Gilman grants help students unlock a world of possibilities
Clayton Walker ’27 is spending this fall studying archaeology and physics in Athens with the expectation that the journey will lead to new adventures.
“I want to keep finding opportunities to apply for other research-based scholarships to travel, meet new people, immerse myself in culture and work in my field,” he said.
The physics major from Mystic, Conn., won a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to help fund his study abroad.
“I’ve always wanted to travel and explore the world. In fact, all the Study Abroad options that are available at Wheaton brought me to the college,” he said. “But traveling seemed like a faraway thing that I couldn’t reach. With the Gilman, however, it’s possible.”
During his time in Athens, Walker will build on what he learned last year about using satellite imagery in archaeological research. “I’ll be studying particle physics and archeology,” he said. “I’ll be doing carbon dating and more. Getting that hands-on experience will help me discover some career options.”
Walker is one of six Wheaton students who received Gilman grants last year. Since 2006, more than 25 students have received the award—administered by the U.S. Department of State—putting life-changing study abroad experiences within reach. Named for late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-N.Y.), the program is open to students who receive federal Pell grants.
“There are ways to make study abroad affordable, and the Gilman scholarship is a valuable option for students. It aims to remove some of the barriers of cost,” said Alida Gomez, associate director of the Center for Global Education.
And the payoff is substantial, she said. “You can never come back from studying abroad the same person as when you went.”
Gomez promotes the Gilman and other grant programs to eligible students, noting that many undergraduates seek support from several sources to finance their study abroad trip. “That’s what I encourage students to do,” she said. “If you get money from different sources, it can add up to a lot of help.”
The experience of study abroad opens new worlds for students, literally and figuratively. Caitly Reynoso ’18, who received Gilman support for study in Italy, said the semester was transformative.
“I created a holistic and rich view of the country and culture,” she said. “With Gilman support, my time in Italy was phenomenal, as I visited 14 Italian cities. I also traveled to four countries while at Wheaton and visited several others while abroad because of how accessible the college made it for me. I’m so thankful for that! It allowed me to discover parts of the world beyond New York City and to enjoy distinct cultural experiences.”
Lilly Kemp ’23 also looks back with gratitude on her Gilman-supported study. “The Gilman scholarship allowed me to fully immerse myself in Spain, without the financial burden looming over me. I was able to be present and truly enjoy where I was,” she said.
The experience, coupled with her student employment in the Center for Global Education, continues to exert influence. Currently a program leader for summer outdoor activities at Telluride Academy, Kemp is pursuing a position assisting students in a study abroad program, possibly in Spain or London. “I’m such an advocate for students going abroad for an immersive experience,” she said. “Scholarships like the Gilman are crucial for financial support, and I promote it as much as I can to other students because of how helpful it was to me.”
Thomas Erickson ’19 can testify to the long-lasting impact of international study. He participated in a three-week, faculty-led trip to Ecuador, as
well as semesters abroad in Turks and Caicos and South Africa.
“I don’t think I would have been able to go to Cape Town without the Gilman,” he said. “It was the most stunning place I’d ever been, with a lot of diversity of people, experience and thought. Every day there was a new thing to explore. It was a huge trip that took a lot of resources and planning.”
He credits the experience of living and learning abroad with helping him build the skills and confidence to move cross-country to San Diego, where he now works as a manager for virtual health care provider, Firefly Health.
“It’s nerve-racking to take that leap into the unknown, but it was worth it to get out of my comfort zone,” he said. “Traveling internationally gave me a lot of confidence, self-worth and direction. As I reflected, I told myself I had done this before when I went abroad.”
“Alida and the staff in global ed work with you and make the entire process so seamless,” Erickson said. “I had the drive to do it, to get on the flight and go and have the uncomfortable moments. And because of that experience, I feel like I can do almost anything.”
—By Troy Watkins