Junior lands Gilman Scholarship for Indonesian study abroad

Cornell College junior Landon Card has earned a Gilman Scholarship that will fund his study abroad program to Indonesia this summer. 

This biochemistry and molecular biology and religion double major will study biodiversity and conservation in Bali and Borneo through the School for International Training (SIT). Card, from Norwalk, Iowa, says he’s looking forward to staying with local host families and learning Bahasa Indonesia, the official language of Indonesia.

“Indonesia is an extremely biodiverse country with beautiful natural ecosystems, countless animal species, and a wide array of plant life. However, it is also a tourism hot spot and rich with natural resources, so the ecosystem is continually being destroyed,” Card said. “During my study, I will be traveling to various locations to help further the efforts conservationists are making to battle this destruction. This means I will have the opportunity to hike through rainforests, snorkel off the small island of Nusa Penida, and immerse myself in Indonesian culture.”

Card says visiting Bali has been a goal of his ever since he did a project on Indonesian wildlife in elementary school. After talking with his religion advisor, Professor Steven Sacks, he realized it was a possibility.

“This is a chance to fulfill a dream I’ve had since I was little,” Card said. “I have never left the U.S. before, so this will be a life-changing experience for me. I will be challenged to get out of my comfort zone and build relationships with new people in a totally different culture, but I will have the opportunity to work with some of the best and see some of the most endangered species on the planet.”

Card, who is also on the Cornell Wrestling Team and a consultant at the Dungy Writing Studio, says he applied for the Gilman Scholarship by writing essays describing his need for funding and how he would use it. Dungy Writing Studio Director Laura Farmer says she and Card have been talking about his ambition to study abroad since his first year at Cornell.

“I’m thrilled that he received the Gilman Scholarship to help make these dreams come true. He worked very hard on his application essays and went through numerous late-night edits to get things just right. His tenacity paid off!”

The Gilman Scholarship provides up to $8,000 for study abroad costs–based on the applicant’s financial need. Students can apply for the scholarship to any program, any country, and for any length of time–block classes abroad also count. The next deadline is March 7, 2024, and Farmer said she’s happy to answer questions for any interested students.