19 Clemson students win national scholarships to study abroad

Nineteen Clemson University students have been selected for the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, a nationally competitive award that funds Pell-eligible students to study or intern abroad while earning academic credit.

This year, the Gilman Program received more than 19,900 applications, the highest number in the program’s 25-year history.

Clemson’s scholarship recipients will participate in a variety of international experiences, from observing classrooms in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to interning at an immigration law firm in Seville, Spain. Students will study in countries including Spain, France, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Clemson’s 2025–26 Gilman Scholarship recipients

Clemson also has three recipients of the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, which honors the legacy of late Arizona Senator John S. McCain. The program supports children and spouses of active or activated United States military personnel in developing leadership and career readiness skills while gaining a global perspective through study abroad experiences.

Clemson’s 2025–26 Gilman-McCain Scholarship recipients

More than just a scholarship

Roselyn Vardales, a third-year architecture student and 2025 Gilman Scholar, spent the spring semester studying abroad through Clemson’s Fluid Campus program in Genoa, Italy.

Through the program, Vardales said she learned how architecture is shaped by culture, history and daily life while also becoming “more independent, adaptable and self-aware.”

“Being exposed to different cultures and architectural contexts has broadened my perspective and challenged the way I think about design,” Vardales said. “This experience is shaping how I approach future studios, encouraging me to be more thoughtful, curious and open in my process, while also influencing my long-term goals in architecture.”

Vardales also said she was surprised by the additional support the Gilman program provided while she was abroad.

“Gilman has checked in on me and kept me informed about situations happening nearby, which has made me feel supported and safe while being abroad,” she said. “That level of care has made this experience even more meaningful and impactful.”

Winning the Gilman Scholarship meant realizing that my dreams and goals are valuable and worth investing in. It also showed me that opportunities I once thought would be hard are actually achievable with the right support.

ROSELYN VARDALES, ARCHITECTURE MAJOR

Building professional skills abroad

Lee Bearsch, who is pursuing dual degrees in Spanish and international business and economics, studied and interned abroad in Seville, Spain, during the spring semester.

Bearsch said the most rewarding part of her experience was interning with an immigration law firm while improving her professional Spanish skills by communicating with speakers from around the world. She also completed all of her coursework in Spanish during the semester abroad.

“More than just an academic experience, this has been transformative in figuring out what my future and career will look like,” Bearsch said.

Bearsch encouraged other students to apply for the Gilman Scholarship and to continue applying if they are not initially selected.

Persistence can truly pay off, and opportunities like this are worth the effort. I did not realize the resources Clemson had for writing your essays, helping you fill out the application, etc. I think the Office of Major Fellowship’s support really made all the difference in receiving the scholarship when I applied for the second time.

LEE BEARSCH, SPANISH & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS DOUBLE MAJORStudents interested in applying for the Gilman International Scholarship and other nationally competitive awards should contact the Office of Major Fellowships at 864-656-9704 or email [email protected].

Information on study abroad options can be found at clemson.edu/studyabroad.