UWF student earns scholarship to study abroad


  • December 4, 2014
  • /   Reggie Dogan
  • /   leadership-tips
A University of West Florida student is taking a trip to study in and learn about a foreign country. Joseph Smith, a junior international studies and finance major, earned a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which will take him to Morocco during the 2015 spring semester through the International Studies Abroad program. The awards provides up to $5,000 to fund a study abroad experience. Smith received the full award amount and was also selected to receive a supplemental award for students planning to study a critical need language. He plans to study Arabic during his semester abroad, in addition to courses studying Moroccan culture. “Receiving this award will greatly impact my college experience by allowing me the opportunity to advance myself in language study, which I know is critical in today’s job market,” Smith said. “Learning new languages and cultures is interdisciplinary and can enhance all areas of study in a college education.” In the future, Smith, a first-generation student, plans to pursue a career in public international law, working for an organization such as the United Nations, NATO, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group or more. UWF student Denisha Merriweather previously received the Gilman Scholarship to complete an internship in the Dominican Republic during the Summer 2014 semester. “The Gilman Scholarship process is lengthy and extremely competitive,” said Dr. Angela McCorvey, associate vice president for international education and programs at UWF. “The fact that two UWF students have been selected within the past two years is an honor beyond belief given that they competed against thousands of students from other universities in the United States.” The scholarship, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education, was awarded to 800 undergraduate students from 356 colleges and universities across the U.S. this year. The program aims to diversify students who study abroad, as well as the countries and regions they visit. The 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. For additional information about the Gilman Scholarship, visit www.iie.org/gilman. To learn more about study abroad opportunities offered to UWF students, visit uwf.edu/studyabroad
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