Over the past 25 years, Arcadia University has been a top-producing institution of Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients. The recognition comes from the U.S. Department of State in honor of the program’s 25th anniversary.

The Gilman Program provides merit-based scholarships to talented American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad for academic credit. Eighty-one Arcadia students have received Gilman awards since the program was established in 2001. Among them is Anjali Dyer ’26, a Psychology major who studied abroad at Arcadia in Granada.

“The Gilman Scholarship let me live out my childhood fantasy of backpacking through Europe while studying abroad,” she said. “While studying abroad in Granada, Spain, I had the opportunity to visit a dozen countries with my closest friends, immersing ourselves in the beauty of other cultures. I will always view my semester abroad as one of the best times of my life.”

The Gilman Program is funded by the U.S. government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. Arcadia was previously recognized in 2021 as a 20-year Gilman Top Producer. 

“We are proud to celebrate a quarter century of partnership between Arcadia University and the Gilman International Scholarship Program,” said Scott Terry, director of Global Engagement and Strategic Enrollment. “Arcadia’s global mission aligns perfectly with that of the Gilman Program, and we are grateful for its support in making study abroad opportunities more accessible to Arcadia students with limited financial means.”

Since its inception, the Gilman Program has awarded more than 50,000 merit-based scholarships to students from all U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories participating in study abroad programs and internships in more than 170 countries. 

Sanaa Webb ’27 is currently studying at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan, Ireland, thanks to a Gilman scholarship.

“Finances were the one factor holding me back from pursuing studying abroad,” the Studio Art major said. “Gilman helped me pay for my plane ticket, it helped me buy waterproof gear for the rainy weather in Ireland, and even helped me pay for my overweight luggage. As an art student, not having to worry about money when purchasing art supplies has been a game changer for my work productivity this semester. Gilman has enabled me to purchase supplies for experimentation in my art practice, in turn making me a better artist and creative. I was even able to travel to Florence, Italy, a historical capital of the arts. Without the Gilman scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to do and see all the things I have seen while abroad!”

Award recipients undergo a competitive selection process. Applicants must submit four short essays and their transcripts. Dyer uses her own experience to guide other students through the process.

“As a Gilman alumnus, I aid current and prospective study abroad students through essay support, travel recommendations, and budgeting prep, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can,” she said.

Arcadia students interested in applying for the Gilman Scholarship should connect with a study abroad advisor in Civic & Global Engagement.