-Berry College News Release-
Faith Owens (Berry College photo)
Three Berry College students have received Gilman Scholarships to support their study abroad programs in Japan, Spain, and Costa Rica this summer.
The Gilman Scholarship supplies up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to exceptional students and is overseen by the Institute of International Education. The scholarship aims to encourage foreign language skills, international experience, and global networking.
Destiny Castro (not pictured), a sophomore from Rome, Georgia, and a Spanish and mathematics double major, will study in Valencia, Spain.
“I aspire to use my Spanish major in a career where I can communicate with those from other cultures and serve communities to bring them closer to Christ. My volunteer work at ESL has motivated me to become certified to teach English as a foreign language, especially in international environments,” Castro said. “I value that Valencia offers cultural experiences in a setting where it does not feel overwhelming, especially since I am a first‑generation college student studying abroad for the first time.”
Abby Shoemake (Berry College photo)
Faith Owens, a sophomore from Fairmount, Georgia, will attend a biology program in Costa Rica. Owens is a double major, studying biology and environmental science while pursuing a minor in psychology.
Abby Shoemake, a junior from Cumming, Georgia, majoring in elementary education, was also named a Gilman Scholar. During her time abroad, she will visit early education schools and contribute to the students’ skills in language development.
“I will be traveling to Japan, which is known for its high academic performance and community-based learning style. I am hoping to learn how I can bring some of their unique classroom management skills back to the United States and implement their successful strategies into my future classroom.”
