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In the eighth grade, Denise Gonzalez went to Costa Rica on a trip with her school, World Language Academy in Hall County, Georgia. Since then, the University of North Georgia (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ) sophomore has wanted to study abroad.

"I have been working on the weekends to save money and applying for as many scholarships as I can," said Gonzalez, who is pursuing a degree in accounting.

Her efforts proved fruitful. Gonzalez was one of nine ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ students to receive a . This program provides up to $5,000 to help underrepresented students study abroad. The grant also provides up to $8,000 to critical language study.

"Once I got the scholarship, I was so happy that my plans to study abroad in South Korea will become a reality," said the 19-year-old from Flowery Branch, Georgia.

The other eight ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ students who earned a Gilman scholarship are:

• Cassandra Canakis, a junior from Watkinsville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in marketing with a minor in Japanese, plans to study in Japan.
• McLaren Christensen, a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in international affairs, plans to study in France.
• Maren Cooper, a senior from Augusta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in international affairs and a member of the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ, plans to study in Taiwan.
• Christian Cruce, a senior from Braselton, Georgia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies and a member of the Chinese Language Flagship, plans to study in Taiwan.
• Gicel Sagastume, a senior from Winterville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, plans to study in Spain.
• Anh Tran, a junior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in marketing with a minor in graphic design, plans to study in the United Kingdom.
• Christy Villeda, a junior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in nursing, plans to study in Spain.
• Mikalyn Wilkes, a senior from Cleveland, Georgia, pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, plans to study in Spain.

Another eight ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ recipients earned Gilman scholarships in fall 2020.

"We are very excited for the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ students who received Gilman scholarships," said Dr. Kathryn Quinto, fellowships adviser for the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ. "Their hard work and persistence helped them to seek this opportunity, and they will maximize the chance to have an educational experience immersed in another culture."

For some like Cooper, the experience will be delivered online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I won't have a totally immersive experience, but I will have classes and one-on-one time with other students from Taiwan," the 20-year-old said. "Through the program, I will strengthen my listening, reading and speaking skills. And it will be in the summer, so I won't have any distractions. I can just focus on improving my Chinese."

Other students plan to defer their scholarships to a later date. For example, Christensen plans to use the Gilman in the spring 2022 semester for an extended stay in France. The 19-year-old spent four weeks there as a high school student.

"I would benefit from a longer period of study, because I want to become fluent in French," Christensen said, adding it would help his future career goals. "I want to become a diplomat or work for a government agency or become a Foreign Service officer."

Students interested in learning more about nationally competitive scholarships, including Gilman, should visit or email ncs@ung.edu for more information. Students interested in learning about study abroad opportunities through various programs may visit ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Center for Global Engagement.