UHD students Noe Denova, an interdisciplinary major, and Zamarkanda Iruegas, a Spanish major, are two of the over 1,100 undergraduates from across the country to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Both Denova and Iruegas will study abroad with UHD in Costa Rica during the summer 2014 semester.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad program costs. The program aims to diversify the students who study abroad and the countries they visit. Students receiving a federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in an 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.

According to William Nowak, faculty leader of UHD's trip to Costa Rica, "The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a great opportunity for students to make a longer study abroad experience a part of their academic career at UHD. Our students typically face a number of obstacles when considering study abroad for a month or longer—taking time off from full-time jobs, family and relationship commitments—and these generous scholarships help reduce or even eliminate one of their chief worries: how to pay for the program. We are very happy and honored that two of our students going to Costa Rica for the month of June were able to receive this competitive award."

Denova plans to become a bilingual teacher and will continue to study Spanish in Costa Rica. "The Gilman scholarship is very important to me because it will help me fund my study abroad experience to Costa Rica this summer. I feel honored to have been awarded this scholarship."

Iruegas will also study Spanish in Costa Rica. "The Gilman scholarship is important to me. It is giving me the opportunity to better my education and prepare me for my future career."

Congrats Gators!