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Five Eberly College students gain international perspective as Gilman Scholars

Five Eberly College students will expand their horizons through study abroad experiences this spring, summer and fall after being awarded scholarships through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

Ariana Burks, a junior majoring in international studies and geography with a minor in Arabic studies, will spend two weeks this May in Thailand studying the importance of gastrodiplomacy, the practice of using food to share culture. Thailand: Gastrodiplomacy and Entrepreneurship is led by faculty in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. Burks, a Beckley native and Honors College student, was awarded a Critical Language Scholarship in 2023 and spent last summer studying Arabic in Oman.

Emily Diaz, a freshman history major and Honors College student from York, Pennsylvania, participated in the Honors College-sponsored Cross-Cultural Explorations: Germany and France program during spring break.

Marcus Hahn, a senior from Petersburg who is majoring in biology, traveled to Edinburgh and London this spring as part of United Kingdom: Health Sciences in Great Britain led by the Pre-Health Professional Development Office.

Helen Knight, a senior multidisciplinary studies major with emphases on international business, communication and sociology, will also travel to Thailand in May. The Morgantown resident who is originally from Ethiopia is considering joining the Peace Corps or pursuing an internship with UNICEF after graduation.

Stephanie Sarfo, a sophomore political science major from Kumasi, Ghana, was awarded a scholarship to study in South Korea this summer. The aspiring lawyer said she believes studying abroad will help her develop skills in intercultural sensitivity and adapting to new environments.

This article is republished from WVU Today — read the original article.