The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is proud to announce that 51 Gilman Alumni have been selected for the 2022 U.S. Fulbright Student Program.   

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Fulbright creates connections in a complex and changing world. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad. Below are the selected Gilman alumni and their type of Fulbright award. 

Many Gilman Scholars point to their Gilman Scholarship experience as a pivotal point in their lives, significantly impacting their academic and career goals. Gilman Alumna and 2022 Fulbright recipient Forough Askarirad shared, “Studying abroad as a Gilman Scholar allowed me to live, learn, and explore a country and culture that is different from my own. This experience allowed me to grow confident in my independence as a working professional abroad. I felt encouraged and prepared since I had already done it with The Gilman Program.”

Gilman Alumna and 2022 Fulbright recipient Ilya Wang told us, “Being awarded the Gilman Scholarship gave me the confidence to not only live and learn outside of my comfort zone in different countries, but also to continue to follow my curiosity and ambition. These experiences showed me the important–that we all have beautiful stories to share, and that we can all learn a lot simply by listening. The Gilman gave me the confidence to apply for a Fulbright so that I can share my story and create a project based on listening to the stories of others.” 

Gilman Alumnus and 2022 Fulbright recipient Andrew Ngo has a similar view, “The Gilman Scholarship reassured me that for 1st-generation college students, studying abroad can be a possibility, which further encouraged me to apply for the Fulbright Program. The financial support and realization for global study were integral to my desire to connect and build understanding with people not only globally, but also across the diverse communities within the U.S. Additionally, my advisor and recommenders provided me support and advice in keeping my writing as objective and purposeful as possible.” 

During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, individuals will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding. 

“As a Fulbrighter, I look forward to fully immersing myself in Argentine culture. By trying their rich cuisine, broadening my view on education, my knowledge of Latin America and the influence of indigenous languages on Argentine Spanish. I also hope to join in on a game of fútbol because I want to experience Argentina’s passion for the sport. All of my experiences abroad will allow me to teach my students once back in the United States about the language and also immerse them in the culture,” shared Gilman Alumna and 2022 Fulbright recipient Yoko Chavez.  

“While I look forward to entering the world of archival research, what most excites me is the opportunity to get to know, work with, and learn from the people I will be surrounded by, whether that be the students and professors at my affiliate university, or the farmers and locals of the region that I study. With a full year provided by Fulbright to immerse myself, I believe that these experiences will shape my project as much as any collection of papers,” Gilman Alumnus and 2022 Fulbright recipient Joshua Linkous.

“My Fulbright experience will be a bit different to what I am used to, as I will be teaching as well as learning. I look forward to being able to explore Thailand, I look forward to learning more about the country’s customs and history. I look forward to meeting my students and fellow staff and engaging them in the many different activities I’ve dreamed of. I look forward to being open minded and doing my best to take in a new and wonderful experience,” shared Gilman Alumna and 2022 Fulbright recipient Aisha Odusanya. 

Learn more about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and apply at us.fulbrightonline.org.