Going global

Courtesy photos.

Florida State University students are making their mark around the globe, thanks to the esteemed Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. The program provides students the opportunity to study or intern abroad, gaining proficiency in critically-important academic and career development skills.

Since the program’s inception in 2001, the Gilman Scholarship has enabled more than 28,000 American students of various back- grounds to immerse themselves in meaningful educational experiences in new countries.

Senior Myryame Desrosiers grew up in Haiti but moved to America after the devastating 2010 earthquake. A biology major on the pre-med track, Desrosiers’ Gilman Scholarship took her to Ghana, which helped her discover some of her family’s history.

“Many Ghanaians were sent to Haiti during the slave trade, and I felt that I could learn about my origin. I was often told that I looked like a Ghanaian, and I picked up the language quite quickly. It was the perfect match!” Desrosiers said. “I also wanted to go to a country where the healthcare system was not as advanced as the United States to spend time learning about their systems. I hope to one day work for Doctors Beyond Borders.”

Desrosiers conducted research on the high pregnancy mortality rate in Ghana and possible contributing factors, including a lack of resources available to expectant mothers. She also organized a health-education workshop at a rural-area school and taught French, her native language, at a private school.

“I realized that the educational aspect of my project was my favorite. It inspired me to join Teach for America and do some work locally after graduation,” Desrosiers said. “Most importantly, this trip solidified my goals of becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist after witnessing childbirth for the first time. I want to bring new life into the world; it’s a precious and beautiful moment.”

“It is important to understand that you are going abroad to serve a community and learn a language, but you will also benefit, grow, and learn so many skills beyond that.”

— Marquita Rusley

The Gilman Scholarship program is successful in supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in educational opportunities abroad, including first-generation, STEM, and ethnic minority students, as well as those with disabilities. Gilman winners are also drawn from students attending historically black colleges and community colleges, and students who might not otherwise take advantage of opportunities abroad due to financial constraints: Pell Grant recipients are eligible to apply for Gilman Scholarships.

FSU’s Office of National Fellowships assists students in discovering scholarship programs and provides guidance during the application process. This year, FSU saw a record number of students win a Gilman Scholarship. Of the 28 selected scholars, 10 are students in departments housed by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Jesse Wieland, assistant director of the Office of National Fellowships, said, “These students demonstrate that experiential opportunities aren’t confined to the borders of Florida State University and are accessible to anyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.”

“Being African-American, I barely see people that look like me on brochures for travel programs or hear people within my community speaking on experiences as such. I am a strong believer in providing representation, and I wanted to add to the growing number of African-Americans that study abroad,” said senior psychology student D’yvonier Larcheveaux, who traveled to England with her Gilman Scholarship, studying at the FSU London Centre.

The Gilman Scholarship program encourages students to study or intern in a diverse array of world regions. In 2019, FSU’s Gilman scholars fanned out across 15 different countries.

Biochemistry major Marquita Rusley’s Gilman Scholarship allowed her to travel to Ecuador where she interned with the nonprofit group Manna Project International. While improving her Spanish skills, she also taught English to students ranging from elementary school to adults. Rusley is a senior with aspirations of working in the public health sector and has just been accepted to the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa.

“It is important to understand that you are going abroad to serve a community and learn a language, but you will also benefit, grow, and learn so many skills beyond that,” she said. “Volunteering is a two-sided street that benefits the individual and the community, as long as you come in with an open mind and passion to learn.”

McKenzie Harris is pursuing a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in Editing, Writing and Media, and plans to graduate in May 2020.