Fredonia students receive Gilman study abroad scholarships
Maria Garcia (left) and Titanya Preddie join Alexander Wagner (not pictured) as Gillman scholarship recipients.
Three Fredonia students have been awarded 2018 Gilman Scholarships to support study abroad experiences during the fall semester.
Titanya Preddie, a Video Production major and African American Studies minor from Brooklyn, will study in the Netherlands. She hopes to gain experiences and knowledge that will help her grow as a person through a study abroad experience.
“It is a scary, yet exhilarating feeling to study in another country and I hope that through creativity, compassion and open-mindedness, I’ll be able to carry what I've learned back home and influence others to do the same," Ms. Preddie said.
Alexandra Wagner, an International Studies and Spanish major with minors in Economics and Political Science from Canandaigua, N.Y., will study in Salamanca, Spain. "I am hoping to increase my Spanish proficiency, understand more about Spanish culture and try as many new things as possible," Ms. Wagner said.
Maria Garcia, an Audio/Radio Production major from the Bronx, will study in China. Her goal is to enhance skills in video, audio and the language through this experience.
“I believe my stay in China will allow me to grow and view life from a different perspective. I intend to learn the skills that they obtain to make me more marketable in my field," Ms. Garcia said.
The Gilman Scholarship is a nationwide grant program that allows undergraduate students who require financial support and are recipients of a Pell grant to study in other countries. Fifteen Fredonia students have received Gilman grants, totaling more than $50,000, since 2015. Scholarships awarded to Preddie, Wagner and Garcia are valued between $2,500 and $3,000.
Fredonia students who are interested in applying for the scholarship are encouraged to contact Erin Willis, assistant director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs. Workshop sessions hosted by the Office of International Education will be held during the fall semester to familiarize students with Gilman scholarships. Applicants for spring and summer 2019 are encouraged to attend one of these workshops.
