UNO Students Awarded National Study Abroad Scholarships

OMAHA - Five University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) undergraduate students have been selected from a group of thousands to receive a prestigious U.S. Department of State scholarship designed to help them study abroad.

The five students will receive Gilman Scholarships, which are worth up to $5,000 towards a study abroad program in the Fall of 2014. Approximately 700 American undergraduate students from 341 colleges and universities across the U.S. received scholarships.

“Without that help, I’m not sure I would be able to go,” says awardee Joseph McGuire, a public health major. McGuire will study at the University College in Cork, Ireland and hopes to learn more about global health and how healthcare is administered in other countries.

Emily Toliver, an education major, is hoping to become fluent in Spanish while studying in Coast Rica. Kevin McNear, a Spanish major and scholarship awardee, will also study in Costa Rica.

“Communication is an extremely valuable part of human interactions,” Toliver states, “I would love to use this experience to broaden my ability to connect with and reach people at a global level.”

Math major Harrison LeFrois is “extremely grateful and honored” for the opportunity to participate in the “Math in Moscow” program at Independent University of Moscow. He will study mathematics and the Russian language.

The fifth awardee, Erin Smith, an International Studies major, will study in India.

UNO’s International Studies and Programs office will facilitate the study abroad experiences as part of UNO’s commitment to both academic excellence and international engagement.

The scholarship, which is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), was named in honor of Benjamin A. Gilman, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. House of Representatives who retired in 2002, having recently chaired the House Foreign Relations Committee.

The full list of students who have been selected to receive Gilman Scholarships, including students’ home state, university and country of study, is available on their website: www.iie.org/gilman.

For more information or media requests, please contact Charley Reed, UNO media relations coordinator, at unonews@unomaha.edu or by phone at 402.554.2129.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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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, Assistant Director, Gilman International Scholarship, at 832-369-3481 or lcalvert@iie.org.