MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Six Middle Tennessee State University students have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support their upcoming study abroad experiences.

The Gilman Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, gaining skills critical to national security and economic prosperity.

“Studying abroad has been an aspiration of mine since beginning college, but I recognized early on that achieving this goal would require significant financial planning and dedication,” said Heather Benz, a music major from Nashville who will be studying abroad in Austria this summer. “Receiving the Gilman Scholarship has made it possible for me to pursue this opportunity in a financially responsible way and has given me many resources to use while abroad. For this, I am very thankful for the funding and support from the U.S Department of State and MTSU.”

Gilman recipient Chelsea Hall, an Honors student majoring in video and film production from Hermitage, completed a Maymester program in Ireland. 

“The opportunity to study abroad through the Gilman Scholarship gave me invaluable experience working hands-on in my field of interest while making a documentary about mysticism and art in Ireland,” said Hall. “This was a huge advancement in my education and skills that will be extremely useful in my future career.”

The following students also earned awards during the latest application cycle:

• Renee Tetteh, an Honors student and political science major from Smyrna, and Aliya Nurhussien, a science major from Hermitage, will travel to Senegal this summer.

• Kwaliq Myles, a recording industry major from Christiana, will study in the United Kingdom during the fall semester.

• Warren Quandt, a music major from Murfreesboro, will study in Italy this summer.

MTSU continues to rank among the top producers of Gilman Scholars in Tennessee, reflecting the university’s strong commitment to providing global learning opportunities for all students.

“Our students’ success in securing Gilman Scholarships shows their dedication and ambition, as well as the strength of MTSU’s support for study abroad programs,” said Laura Clippard, Undergraduate Fellowships specialist. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing how their international experiences will shape their futures.”

Said Tetteh, “Thanks to Gilman, I can travel this summer and learn firsthand about Senegal’s socio-economic and political systems, and how I can contribute meaningfully to the African continent. This trip is more than just a cross-cultural exchange or academic enrichment. It’s a journey back to my African roots, an immersion into a new dimension of African culture, and a chance to explore and grow.”

Students interested in applying for future Gilman Scholarships or other study abroad opportunities are encouraged to visit the Office of Education Abroad. For more information about the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, visit www.gilmanscholarship.org.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)