Five Lehman students are embarking on the trip of a lifetime, earning the chance to study abroad as 2025 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholars, with destinations in Morocco, Europe, and Japan.
The scholarship will support Bailey Reeves, Aminatu Ibrahim, Abreya Porter, Malachy McLaughlin, and Melissa Peña to study in the country and academic program of their choice.
“Lehman College has a strong tradition of producing Gilman Scholars, with over 120 recipients awarded more than $400,000 in scholarship funding over the past decade,” said Nicole Flores, study abroad advisor in the Office of International Programs and Community Engagement (IPCE).
Established in 2001, the prestigious and competitive scholarship program provides up to $5,000 for foreign study and has made transformative educational opportunities accessible to dozens of Lehman students in the past five years alone. In fact, Lehman has twice been ranked a “Top Producer” of Gilman scholars.
Each student in the latest cohort of scholars is pursuing a different academic program, but all applied to the program seeking opportunities for personal growth and academic enhancement or career preparation.
Read more about Lehman’s latest group of Gilman Scholars in the Riverdale Press.
Bailey Reeves, majoring in biochemistry and cognitive neuroscience, is already in Morocco, where she’s studying at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hassan II, a program she sought out because of its focus on medicine. In addition to the work she’s doing in local hospitals, she’s exploring the medinas, or markets. “I also want to learn how to make the famous mint tea,” she said.
Economics major Malachy McLaughlin, who will be in Japan over the summer, is already thinking about how he can leverage his experiences there to benefit a future business career.
Sophomore Aminatu Ibrahim, who is studying Business Administration, had always envisioned studying in the U.K. When she walked into IPCE last fall, she met a former Gilman Scholar who told her about the program and encouraged her to apply.
“Past Gilman recipients embody a strong ethic of paying it forward, often volunteering their time to help new applicants with their essays,” said Flores. “This peer support, combined with the robust guidance from our office, has contributed to our students' success.”
Ibrahim is heading to Birmingham, England in the fall 2024 semester. “I look forward to finding out who I am outside of New York,” she said.
Likewise, Melissa Peña, a junior majoring in Health Services Administration, chose Barcelona because she has long dreamed of traveling to Europe. Going to Spain presented great opportunities to enhance her Spanish language skills while experiencing a different culture and environment, and possibly explore other regions Europe.
Abreya Porter, a junior who also received a supplemental Critical Need Language Award, is currently preparing for the long flight to Japan.
“I chose Japan because I’ve always been fascinated by its rich history, culture, and traditions,” she said. “As a psychology major, I’m also eager to see how Japanese culture influences mental health practices and societal norms. I believe studying in Japan will provide me with unique insights into the intersection of psychology and cultural dynamics.”
“Language can be a bridge to trust and understanding, and I want to help create that connection for those who may struggle to find culturally or linguistically appropriate mental health resources," Porter added.
“The Gilman Scholarship empowers our students to engage globally and leverage their experiences for professional and personal growth, creating a lasting impact on their communities and careers,” said Flores.
In addition, Lehman’s Gilman Scholars have gone on to excel in graduate programs and leadership roles or earn prestigious fellowships like Fulbright.
The program operates under the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute of International Education.
Lehman students interested in applying for the Gilman Scholarship or other study abroad programs may contact the Office of International Programs and Community Engagement to learn more.