Two Linfield College students will spend fall semester abroad after earning prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships.
Mara Youngren-Brown ‘21 of Kenai, Alaska, has received $5,000 and will spend the upcoming year studying in Beijing, China. Rosario Rucoba ‘21 of The Dalles has earned $3,000 and will spend fall semester studying in Vienna, Austria.
Youngren-Brown, an international relations and global cultural studies double major, will take part in the language immersion track during her first semester, studying Mandarin at the Chinese Studies Institute at Peking University. During the second semester, she will study politics, history and art.
“I believe language is one of the most important parts of a culture,” said Youngren-Brown, who was born in China. “It teaches the student about the culture’s past, what is valued and what is sacred. I am excited to spend time in my home country and learn about the culture, history and my own identity through this experience.”
She said the scholarship will help her to become a global citizen who can affect change on an international scale. Youngren-Brown hopes to use her Linfield education in international relations to work with the United States Department of State in diplomacy and to one day start a foundation for young people with transnational identities.
Rucoba, who is double majoring in journalism and media studies along with political science, will study Austrian culture, art and European politics at Austro-American Institute of Education and the University of Vienna. She will also take German languages classes and participate in educational trips to neighboring countries including the Czech Republic.
In addition to financial assistance, the scholarship offers mentorship and additional support to students during their international experience.
“The scholarship program provides information and connections, along with financial assistance,” Rucoba said. “These things are valuable to me as a first-generation Latina college student. I’m very grateful for the extra support.”
Looking ahead, Rucoba hopes to pursue additional international study and ultimately, work as a lawmaker in government.
Youngren-Brown and Rucoba are two of nearly 1,000 American undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to study or intern abroad during the coming year. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, some 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 28,000 Gilman Scholars to 150 countries around the globe. Recipients of the award are chosen on a competitive basis.
