Two Troy University students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to aid in their study abroad aspirations. The Gilman Scholarship was created to encourage students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, backgrounds and types of institutions. 

Audrey Bell, junior exercise physiology/pre-health professions major from Alexander City, Alabama, is having a lifelong dream realized next year when she spends the 2026 Spring Semester studying abroad at the University of Worcester in England.

“I’ve wanted to study abroad for forever, but I’m going to go to grad school after this, so I needed to stay on track,” she said. “My mom had a lot of international students and people from all walks of life who she would invite to our home growing up, and that’s where I fell in love with different international cultures. 

“I’ve also made a lot of international friends while at TROY, and it’s just really fun to get to know them and see their different cultures. That’s been a huge component of wanting to study abroad, too. This dream has been made possible for me thanks to the Gilman Scholarship.”

While at the University of Worcester, Bell is able to enroll in classes that will transfer over to her degree at TROY, including microbiology, two exercise science classes and a creative writing course.

“The creative writing class allows us to learn about different artifacts and the history of Worcester. You also get to volunteer in all of the local institutions, like Worcester Cathedral and the Hive,” she said. “The Hive is a joint library between the university and the public, and it has the largest children’s library in all of Europe.”

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.

Elijah Brooks, a junior psychology major from Luverne, Alabama, said the application process was smooth and easy to follow, especially with the guidance of Study Abroad Director Sarah McKenzie. As part of the application process, students are asked to write three essays: an essay on building mutual understanding, a service project outline and a statement of purpose essay.

“The building mutual understanding essay outlines how you’re going to learn something from the culture you’re experiencing, how you plan to integrate yourself into the community and how you’ll represent where you’re from,” he said. “The service project essay details what you’re going to do when you get back to promote the Gilman scholarship and study abroad in general.

The last essay is probably the most important. It is a statement of purpose essay, which details why you want to study abroad, what do you hope to get from it, how that’s going to make you better and improve your future career and educational prospects.”

To students considering studying abroad and applying for the Gilman Scholarship, Brooks said to take their time on the essays and really care about what they have to say.

“Make sure your tone comes across as professional but also passionate,” he said. “That’s what really gets them to notice you, when they notice how you speak about what you’re doing. So if you’re passionate, make sure that you express that.”

For more information on TROY’s study abroad programs, contact McKenzie at troyabroad@troy.edu or call 334-808-6128. 

About the Gilman Program

The mission of the Gilman Program is to develop a generation of future American leaders who represent the rich diversity of the nation and have the international networks and skills to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity; expand the U.S. student population that studies and interns abroad, helping more young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers; and broaden the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad, in order to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values, including in developing countries and countries critical to U.S. national security.