Two Cornellians awarded study abroad scholarships

MOUNT VERNON – Two Cornell College students received scholarships totaling over $3,000 apiece from the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship program in order to study abroad.

Third-year student Zoe Sigman received a $5,000 scholarship—funded by the United States Department of State—to participate in Central College Abroad’s Hangzhou, China program. Fourth-year Alida Ogren-Gunderson received $3,000, enabling her to study at the International Language Institute in Cairo, Egypt.

Sigman is traveling to China to learn Mandarin in hopes of eventually teaching English as a Second Language or serving as a translator.

“This award means a great deal to me. Without it I would have a much more difficult time studying abroad,” said Sigman.  “Going to China to learn Mandarin opens up a host of opportunities after I graduate from Cornell. By learning a language that is very much in demand in the global economic and political spheres, I will greatly increase my chance of being hired in those fields.”

The Gilman Scholarship Program’s stated goal is “to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go.” Since the program began in 2001, nearly 4,800 scholarships have been awarded to participating students. For more information on the program, visit the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship home page.