Jennifer Delgado, ’18, of Roslindale, a communications major, is one of more than 1,000 American undergraduate students from 332 colleges and universities across the country selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Jennifer will study in Jordan this summer through ɫƵ’s Arabic Language Immersion Program where she hopes to improve her language skills while learning first-hand about Jordanian history, way of life and cultural habits.
In addition to her major in strategic communications, she minors in Middle Eastern studies. Last year, Jennifer traveled to Morocco where she discovered a new passion for Middle Eastern history and culture.
Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. The program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply.
Scholarship 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.
Jennifer is vice president of La Sociedad Latina at Bridgewater and is a resident assistant.
Congressman Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee, commented, “Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”
The Institute of International Education (IIE) administers the program. According to Allan Goodman, President and CEO of IIE, “International education is one of the best tools for developing mutual understanding and building connections between people from different countries. It is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business, and the lasting ties that Americans make during their international studies are important to our country in times of conflict as well as times of peace.”