Gilman Alumni Survey

After my trip to Japan, I asked alumni from the Gilman Scholarship AND my fellow classmates to fill out a survey. I did this for students to understand a bit more into how to prepare, why they should go abroad, and apply for the Gilman Scholarship.

Note that not all participants are Gilman Alumni.

Cammi Roberts

St. John’s University

Rome, Italy – 2017

Tell me more about your experience. What did you learn? What stood out the most? Was there a cultural shock? etc.

How to be independent and push myself.
The importance of shared history.

What advice would you give to someone trying to study abroad?

Be honest with yourself, there are a million reasons not to go but look at them critically. Most of them are just excuses. Take the step to go on your own and spend a semester developing yourself – it’s much easier than trying to find time to figure it out in years to come.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to apply for the Gilman Scholarship?

Go for it! It’s achievable and makes such a big difference both financially and support-wise

Elijah Deslouches

Cuyamaca College

Japan – 2019

Tell me more about your experience. What did you learn? What stood out the most? Was there a cultural shock? etc.

Took a Japanese motion picture appreciation course which was very insightful. The pedestrian culture stood out the most. Some tendencies and unspoken laws (drinking and eating while walking with some exceptions) are vastly different than here in the states.

What advice would you give to someone trying to study abroad?

Do as much research in preparation for the trip. Make sure that travel and accommodation are the top things accounted for in planning.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to apply for the Gilman Scholarship?

Be proactive. Find out what the qualifications are and pursue it diligently. Go above and beyond and make your application stand out.

Any further comments?

Enjoy studying abroad! Many people really enjoy the experience and say the opportunity is tremendously valuable – myself included.