Two Nebraska Wesleyan University seniors have been selected to receive a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad for the fall semester.
Megan Canfield, a math and philosophy and religion double major from Grand Island, will study at the University of Tartu in Estonia. Canfield’s previous international experience includes her participation in the Encounter World Religions Conference in Canada. She plans to attend law school following graduation.
Ria Shome, a biology and modern language studies double major from Overland Park, Kan., will study at Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Last summer, Shome traveled to Guatemala with NWU’s Global Service Learning student organization to build houses for the nonprofit, Contru Casa.
“Argentina is filled with the most beautiful national parks and natural views,” said Shome. “I want to be able to interact with the most variety of people that I possibly can.”
Following her graduation in May, Shome plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in environmental sustainability.
The Gilman Scholarship is a nationally competitive program that assists students with study abroad expenses. The program aims to diversity the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go. The scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Forty-eight NWU students have been awarded Gilman Scholarships since the program began in 2001.