Two students from the College of Charleston have been honored with the prestigious and congressionally funded scholarship that supports American students in enhancing their proficiency in various languages and cultures. This scholarship program aims to provide opportunities for studying abroad to students who may face financial constraints that would otherwise hinder their participation.
Cecilia Trejos ’25 and Malaika Affonso ’26 have been named as 2023 Gilman Scholars. Affonso is pursuing a double major, while Trejos is majoring in [ppp1] with a concentration in real estate and a minor in [ppp2].
Cecilia Trejos expressed her gratitude for the Gilman program, stating, “I always aspired to study abroad, but I used to believe it was beyond my means. The Gilman program has turned this dream into reality for me, and I am eager to inspire my peers to apply and assist them in the process of preparing for studying abroad.”
Currently, Trejos is studying in Trujillo, Spain, where she is interning at a real estate and travel agency. Her internship involves gaining insights into the real estate industry in Spain and helping plan trips for clients. She emphasized her goal of achieving fluency in Spanish and highlighted the opportunities provided by the Spanish department’s collaboration with the business school for internships and community volunteering.
On the other hand, Malaika Affonso chose the College of Charleston Honors College due to its tight-knit community and the chance to engage closely with staff on impactful research projects. She acknowledged her father’s influence in her decision-making process and expressed gratitude for the mentorship and guidance he provides.
Affonso, appreciative of the Gilman Scholarship, shared, “This scholarship has expanded my academic horizons beyond my country’s borders. I am excited to undertake an epidemiology course in Barcelona this summer, delving into public health aspects through a Spanish case study, the Spanish flu.”
Both Cecilia and Malaika were praised by Sidney Woram, associate director of the [ppp3], for their dedication and program choices that align with their academic and career goals. Woram encouraged more students to apply for the Gilman Scholarship, emphasizing the enriching experience studying abroad offers to students.
For students interested in applying for the Gilman Scholarship, the application deadline is at 2:59 a.m. on March 7, 2024. For further information, interested students can reach out to Sidney Woram at [ppp4]. The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards is hosting Gilman Scholarship Drop-In Hours on the following dates:
- Feb. 12–Feb. 15, 2024: 3–5 p.m. at Robert Scott Small Building, Room 208
- Feb. 26–March 1, 2024: 3–5 p.m. at Robert Scott Small Building, Room 208
- March 4–March 7, 2024: 3–5 p.m. at Robert Scott Small Building, Room 208