Study abroad scholarships for four Whitman students
Four Whitman students who have received Gilman Scholarships will spend the next semester studying abroad in Chile, Scotland, and Turks and Caicos. The Gilman Scholarship Program provides assistance for U.S. citizens with limited financial means to enable them to study abroad. This year's four recipients—the largest ever group for Whitman—are:
- Brook Terkovich '18, who will study public health, traditional medicine and community empowerment in Chile
- Magaly Gonzalez '18, who will also be in Chile studying at the Chilean Universities Program in Valparaiso
- Breanna Mehling '17, who will study marine resource studies in Turks and Caicos
- Gabriel Juul '18, who will be at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland
Breanna Mehling '17, biology major
Why did you apply to study abroad in Turks and Caicos? I have never been out of the country and I think it is important to experience new things. As a kid, I loved the ocean, and when I heard about the Turks and Caicos program, I was so excited. I was also happy to learn that throughout the semester I will be able to participate in community outreach and volunteer opportunities.
What do you hope this study abroad opportunity will mean for your work at Whitman? By going abroad, I will be able to work on my senior research and thesis, as well as prepare myself for graduate school with field experience.
What's one thing that you're planning on doing for fun while you're abroad? While I am there, I am excited to meet new people and get my SCUBA certification.
What does receiving the Gilman scholarship mean for you? Receiving the Gilman scholarship is huge for me, as getting my SCUBA certification (and purchasing all the equipment) created additional costs. This will allow me to experience new and exciting things that I wouldn't have the chance to do otherwise, while preparing me for a future in marine biology.
Brooke Terkovich '18, biology major
Why did you apply to study abroad in Chile? I decided to study abroad in Chile because I want to improve my Spanish-speaking ability and learn about the culture.
What do you hope this study abroad opportunity will mean for your work at Whitman? I want to become a doctor and work in rural areas like those I will be traveling to in Chile. I'm hoping that this study abroad opportunity will contribute to a greater understanding of the diversity of medicine in the world.
What's one thing that you're planning on doing for fun while you're abroad? While I'm abroad, I'm planning on taking surfing lessons.
What does receiving the Gilman scholarship mean for you? Receiving the Gilman scholarship means that I will be able to engage more in the culture around me without feeling like I have to be worried about money.
Gabriel Juul '18, physics major
Why did you apply to study abroad in Scotland? Scotland has a beauty and history that inspires me and that I wish to learn more of. The University of St. Andrews is among the oldest schools in the world and one of the few universities abroad where I can study physics as someone who speaks only English.
What do you hope this study abroad opportunity will mean for your work at Whitman? I trust that studying in Scotland will be a step in becoming a more well-rounded physicist or engineer - one who sees struggles and strengths around the world and solves problems in communities beyond my own.
What's one thing that you're planning on doing for fun while you're abroad? I'd like to find a small, quiet old pub, sit by a fire and hear the stories of someone who has lived in Scotland for many years.
What does receiving the Gilman scholarship mean for you? Support from the Gilman will hopefully allow me to move beyond being simply a student in Scotland; it means I can travel the country and start to know the landscape and its people.
Magaly Gonzalez '18, Spanish major
Why did you apply to study abroad in Chile? I decided to apply to study abroad in Chile because, when I learned that IFSA-BUTLER: Chilean Universities Program in Valparaiso allows students to enroll directly in Chilean University classes, I immediately gravitated toward this program. I knew that I wanted to integrate myself in a classroom with local professors and students in a university.
What do you hope this study abroad opportunity will mean for your work at Whitman? Through my program, I hope to experience a new education system, develop my Spanish skills and integrate myself in a new culture and community
What's one thing that you're planning on doing for fun while you're abroad? Trying out new food.
What does receiving the Gilman scholarship mean for you? Receiving the Gilman scholarship means being able to have an international education, not having to worry about money while abroad and being able to enjoy my stay in Chile.