A record number of Wofford College students are receiving Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad. Seven students were awarded scholarships that will be used for Interim 2023 and the spring 2023 semester.
The scholarships are given by the U.S. Department of State to support students studying and interning abroad while gaining skills that are critical to the United States’ national security and economy. The scholarships are for up to $5,000.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed by our applicants over the years and these students are no exception,” says Bence Bays, Wofford’s study abroad advisor. “The college had a record number of students applying for Gilman Scholarships this year and once again is proud to have students selected for this prestigious scholarship.”
Thirteen Wofford students applied for the scholarship during the October 2022 application cycle. One student applied during the March 2022 application cycle, and she was awarded a scholarship. The college’s previous record for Gilman Scholars in a cycle was six in March 2021.
In 2021, Gilman removed the requirement that program travel had to be at least three weeks long. Interim programs became eligible with the removal of that requirement. Five of Wofford’s Gilman Scholars will use the scholarship for Interim studies.
Wofford’s 2023 Gilman Scholars:
Angel Arellano ’23, an accounting major from Spartanburg, South Carolina
Arellano will spend the spring 2023 semester studying in Milan, Italy, as part of the International Education of Students (IES) Abroad’s business studies program.
“I am grateful to be a Gilman Scholar. This opportunity has allowed me to cover the rest of my expenses for my study abroad trip. I can’t wait to meet new people and explore new places,” Arellano says.
Alexis Deloach ’25, a biology major from Varnville, South Carolina
Deloach will spend Interim 2023 studying in Santiago, Chile, as part of the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) health studies program.
“My goal is to become a pediatrician and the clinical observations that are part of this trip will help me. Also, the Gilman Scholarship is providing me with a wonderful opportunity to travel outside of the country for the first time, experience a new culture and create lifelong memories,” Deloach says.
Ellis Greene ’24, a government and history double major from Gaffney, South Carolina
Greene will spend Interim 2023 in England taking “England: Living with History,” which is being taught by Wofford English professors Dr. Sally Hitchmough and Dr. Alan Chalmers.
"The Gilman Scholarship will cover my Interim expenses in London while studying English history. I am looking forward to studying English history because of the significant contributions that England has made to the world,” Greene says.
Promise Henry ’25, a finance major from Cowpens, South Carolina
Henry also will spend Interim 2023 in England taking “England: Living with History.”
“My scholarship will allow me to have my first study abroad experience and to see the amazing United Kingdom and the beautiful cities of London, Bath and Oxford,” Henry says.
Marlen Ramirez-Alvarado ’24, a finance major from Spartanburg, South Carolina
Ramirez-Alvarado will spend the spring 2023 semester studying in Santiago, Chile, as part of the International Education of Students (IES) Abroad’s health studies program.
“I am grateful to have been selected as a Gilman Scholarship recipient. I will split the scholarship money in half. Half will be invested toward my study abroad trip needs, including my airfare and student visa fees. The other half will be invested toward my Gilman Follow-on project, which will be in the form of a podcast. I can’t wait to share my project soon with the Wofford community,” Ramirez-Alvarado says.
Margeaux Stapleton ’26, an undeclared major from Leesville, South Carolina
Stapleton will spend Interim 2023 in Ghana studying culture and reproductive health through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).
“I am so thankful to use the Gilman Scholarship for my trip to Africa, a place I have wanted to travel to since I was a little girl. I will travel to Ghana to study HIV and AIDS as well as reproductive health in Ghana as a whole,” Stapleton says.
Kenzie Syiem ’23, an English and Spanish double major from Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Syiem will spend Interim 2023 participating in an independent study project with two classmates in Northeast India.
“This January, I will be spending Interim in my home country, India, with two other Wofford students. Together, we will study the khanatangs, or sacred myths and legends, of the Khasi tribe and visit the sites of those great stories in the Khasi Hills of Northeast India. I am very grateful to Gilman for helping me make this independent research proposal a reality.”
Kleo Young ’25, a biology and chemistry double major from Jonesville, South Carolina
Young was selected as an alternate. He’s studying gender, race, sexuality and popular culture through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).