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UNO Environmental Science Junior receives Gilman Scholarship to study in the Netherlands

Delia Hill has high hopes to change the development of urban planning in Omaha with the help of her study abroad experience in the Netherlands and the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship.

Omaha, Nebraska is known for a handful of attractions – its picturesque Old Market, the popular College World Series, and one of the world’s best and largest zoos. One thing that fails to make the list, though, is superb development of urban planning. However, Delia Hill has high hopes to change this with the help of her study abroad experience and the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship.

Hill, a junior studying environmental science, first found out about the Society, Environment, Transportation and Space (SETS) program through an email.

“When I saw the email, and that the courses focused on public transit, urban planning and water management, I was like, ‘Wow, this sounds perfect!’.”

SETS is a summer program hosted by the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. The program is designed to educate students on the ways that The Netherlands deals with economic, environmental and settlement challenges.

With Hill’s desire of pursuing a career in water management, she knew that the program aligned directly with her interests. However, she worried that her ability to go would be impossible.

“At first I didn’t think I was going to do this program at all, I thought I couldn’t afford it.”

After scheduling a meeting with her study abroad advisor, Emily Krueger, Hill learned about the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship. After applying, she waited to find out if partaking in the program would be feasible.

The news came at a surprise for Hill. After running into another student doing the SETS program, they informed her that acceptance emails had been sent out. In that moment, Hill decided to check with low hopes.

To Hill’s astonishment, she had received the scholarship which provided her enough money to fund her entire program.

“I didn’t expect it, I was really shocked, but excited.”

“I didn’t expect it, I was really shocked, but excited.”

Hill gives credit to her future service project for receiving the scholarship. Upon returning from The Netherlands, she plans to create a comparative map of the bicycle infrastructure in Groningen and Omaha and write an analysis on it.

“I’ll use it to present to city council members and the legislature to try and make improvements to infrastructure in Omaha.”

As Hill prepared to go abroad, she notes that the program had already benefitted her career. Once the SETS finishes, Hill will start a summer internship program with a civil engineering firm.

“I think it kind of helped me get this internship. The internship is to help work on a water treatment plan and I think I got it because they knew I’d bring back new skills and perspectives.”

Having never left the country, Hill is also eager to become acquainted with a new culture. She especially anticipates the program’s holistic style of learning, where she’ll explore cities across The Netherlands to analyze their infrastructure.

“It’s perfect for me because I’m a hands-on, visual learner.”

Long term, Hill aims to live in a well-planned city where she can rely on public transportation. She has high hopes that Omaha will grow into a place where owning a car won’t be necessary.

Outside of her academics, Hill is a member of SustainUNO, a student organization that focuses on the improvement of sustainability practices on UNO’s campus. She also enjoys picking up litter in her free time and uses the bus frequently for transportation.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) mission is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange that assist in the development of peaceful relations. In an effort to reflect the diversity of the United States and global society, ECA programs, funding, and other activities encourage the involvement of American and international participants from traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities. Artists, educators, athletes, students, youth and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries around the globe participate in academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges. For more information about ECA programs, initiatives, and achievements, visit http://eca.state.gov.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, the Institute is the world’s most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organization. IIE has a network of 19 offices worldwide working with more than 1,200 member institutions and over 6,000 individuals with a commitment to the internationalization of their institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. These programs include the Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowships administered for the U.S. Department of State. The Institute is a resource for educators and institutions worldwide (http://www.iie.org), publishing the Open Doors Report and operating www.IIEPassport.org and www.studyabroadfunding.org search engines for study abroad program and study abroad scholarships. For more information, please contact Lindsay Calvert, Director, Gilman International Scholarship, at 832-369-3481 or lcalvert@iie.org.

Find out more about studying abroad with UNO Education Abroad.