Owen Bubczyk is pictured with his classmates during one of many excursions in New Zealand this winter.

Gilman Scholar Owen Bubczyk was enthusiastic to discover the 2024 Winter Session Kinesiology and Applied Physiology program, led by faculty directors Nancy Getchell and Todd Royer. Bubczyk (front left) is pictured with his classmates during one of many excursions in New Zealand this winter.

Gilman Scholars

Article by Grace Kearns Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Tyndall, Shanmarie Salmon, Owen Bubczyk and Sarah Cole February 07, 2024

Three UD students earn prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in Greece, New Zealand and Spain

Three University of Delaware students have been honored as the newest Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship recipients.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to develop a generation of future American leaders by exposing them to diverse languages and cultures. Open only to Pell Grant recipients, the program makes studying and interning abroad more accessible for students who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. Since 2001, the Gilman Scholarship has supported more than 41,000 students in their global experiences, including 56 Blue Hens — three of whom went abroad this winter and spring.

After receiving this year’s scholarship, senior Brooklyn Tyndall spent three weeks in Athens during Winter Session, shadowing physicians in Greek hospitals. As a human physiology major, she selected the Arts and Sciences and Health Studies micro program, led by faculty director Saskia Richter, to gain valuable experience in an international healthcare system by spending over 75 hours in an experiential learning placement.

Brooklyn Tyndall, a Gilman Scholar, visited the Arch of Hadrian as part of the 2024 Winter Session Arts and Sciences and Health Sciences study abroad program in Athens, Greece, led by faculty director Saskia Richter.

“This experience allowed me to dive deeper into my career field and experience medicine from a completely different perspective,” Tyndall said. “I feel more confident that I can advocate for future patients the more familiar I am with new cultures and aspects of healthcare.”

In addition to applying for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, Tyndall took advantage of the Delaware Diplomats program to fund this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Developed 10 years ago, this on-campus global engagement program was designed to increase access for any UD undergraduate students who want to study abroad.

“As a Delaware Diplomat, I understand how finances can interfere with meeting your goals,” Tyndall said. “Growing up, I always wanted to study abroad, and these programs perfectly set me up to do just that.”

UD is committed to making global education opportunities accessible to students of all backgrounds through programs like Delaware Diplomats and support for government programs specifically focused on supporting study abroad, including Gilman, Fulbright, Boren and Critical Language scholarships, said Matt Drexler, director of study abroad.

“We believe that, as an institution, we are developing the next generation of global leaders,” he said. “These invaluable experiences are crucial to giving our students a well-rounded, diverse undergraduate experience. But we know that studying abroad can feel out of reach for a variety of reasons.”

This past year, the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) provided over $881,000 in financial need-based scholarships to over 300 students to help fund their study abroad program fee. The only request that CGPS makes of the awardees is that students share their study abroad experience through the UD Abroad Blog.

Tyndall documented her experiences both inside and outside of the hospital in the blog. She and the rest of her group had opportunities to visit the Acropolis, explore ancient ruins and tour the Olympic Stadium.

Honors kinesiology major Owen Bubczyk, one of this year’s Gilman Scholars, felt New Zealand provided the perfect setting to explore the relationship between health and exercise because of the many outdoor activities available. He’s pictured here on a black water rafting trip in the Waitomo Caves this Winter Session.

On the other side of the world, another Gilman recipient, Owen Bubczyk, an honors kinesiology major, documented his Winter Session in the UD Abroad Blog, including lots of biking, hiking and even black water rafting in New Zealand.

“Traveling the world has always been a dream of mine,” Bubczyk said. “The Gilman Scholarship has made this travel opportunity possible for me.”

Bubczyk was enthusiastic about discovering the kinesiology and applied physiology study abroad program, led by faculty directors Nancy Getchell and Todd Royer, which provided the perfect setting to explore the relationship between health and exercise.

“New Zealand offers remarkable opportunities for physical activity of all kinds,” Bubczyk said. “With all the lessons I learned on this trip, I will be better prepared to treat patients in the future, especially those looking to return to their adventurous ways following an injury.”

Gilman Scholar Shanmarie Salmon explored Seville, Spain, the site of her student teaching placement for the 2024 spring semester.

As Tyndall and Bubczyk returned home to prepare for the spring semester in Newark, fellow Gilman recipient Shanmarie Salmon recently arrived in Seville, Spain, where she will spend seven weeks getting hands-on experience in the student teaching elementary education program.

“I’m particularly excited to learn about the teaching methodologies and approaches in the school where I’ll be placed,” Salmon said. “These practices will be incredibly beneficial to my growth as an educator.”

To prepare for the Gilman Scholarship process, Salmon said she sought guidance from the CGPS staff, the UD Writing Center and other UD professors.

“Securing this scholarship was pivotal in fulfilling my career goals,” Salmon said. “This program is a stepping stone toward my post-graduate goal to teach abroad.”

About financial support for Study Abroad

Applications for this spring’s Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships are due by Thursday, March 7, 2024. For more information about the scholarship, eligibility and how to apply, register for a Gilman Scholarship Overview webinar on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 5 p.m. and a Gilman Scholarship Strategy and Tips webinar on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m., both on Zoom, or visit the CGPS government scholarships for study abroad webpage.

The Delaware Diplomat program is accepting applications until Feb. 20.

Every student who applies for a study abroad program is considered for CGPS scholarships. To learn more about ways to finance your study abroad experience, visit the CGPS website.

About the Center for Global Programs and Services

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on Instagram and X for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD. Read the UD Abroad Blog and talk to a Study Abroad Ambassador to learn firsthand about the experiences of Blue Hens abroad!