Gilman Scholarship Provides Three Augustana Students Study-Abroad Opportunity in 2026

More than half of Augustana University students study abroad before graduating, which is nearly five times the national average. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship offers support to students nationwide, helping them in developing language and culture skills that are important to their academic and career growth.

Lilly Roberts '26, Vanessa Romero '26 and Jessalyn Wienk '27 are the 2025-26 recipients of the Gilman scholarship - an award that makes study abroad possible for students who may not otherwise have the opportunity.

Lilly Roberts '26

Lilly Roberts, of Sioux Falls, is a double major in government & international affairs and history with a minor in medical humanities. Thanks to the Gilman scholarship, Roberts is spending Spring Semester 2026 in Czechia, where she is taking courses in world politics and history. Roberts is also interning with a non-governmental organization (NGO) that researches and advocates for fair climate policy.

"Through this internship, I will gain first-hand experience working with NGOs and deepen my understanding of how they interact with and influence government institutions," Roberts said. "Combined with the experience of living abroad, this position will give me the perspective and confidence I need as I prepare to begin law school next year."

Roberts credits Erin Kane, AU's director of study away, her friends and professors in encouraging her to study overseas.

"The friends who first inspired me to study abroad were enthusiastic and encouraged me to talk through my options with them. Erin was equally excited and supportive, and she quickly provided me with advice and resources to begin planning," said Roberts. "My professors were also helpful and encouraging - ensuring that the courses I would take would count toward my major requirements and fit into my overall academic experience."

Roberts also believes that studying abroad will better prepare her for life after college.

"While I am an introverted, predictable person, studying abroad allows me to challenge that on a deeper level," she said. "In a sense, simply doing it has become proof to myself that I really can do anything, including becoming a lawyer. It feels like the best possible way to wrap up my undergraduate experience."

Vanessa Romero '26

Vanessa Romero is a nursing and Spanish double major from Rapid City, South Dakota. The Gilman scholarship allowed her to spend January Interim (J-Term) 2026 in Costa Rica, where she was able to strengthen several of her skills.

"I was not as confident with medical Spanish or common nursing words in Spanish," said Romero. "During my clinical rotation in Costa Rica, I was able to practice speaking to patients in Spanish and learned a lot of new medical words."

While in Costa Rica, Romero was most excited to learn about new opportunities surrounding the culture and broaden her understanding of health care.

"I love learning about different cultures and trying new things," she said. "I was also interested in seeing how health care is practiced in a different country."

Romero said that working in another health care system with different cultural values allowed her to be more open-minded, culturally appreciative and compassionate - growing both personally and professionally.

"This opportunity pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow and gain confidence. It also showed me how important it is to understand people from different backgrounds," Romero said. "Overall, it was a really meaningful experience that changed how I see the world and myself."

Jessalyn Wienk '27

Jessalyn Wienk, of De Smet, South Dakota, is a double major in religion - interreligious studies track - and international studies. Wienk is spending Spring Semester 2026 in Jordan, where she is continuing to study the Arabic language.

"After returning from Oman through the Critical Language Scholarship this past summer, I knew I wasn't finished studying Arabic or engaging with the region," Wienk said.

When she received the scholarship, Weink said that sharing the moment with others made it especially meaningful. The scholarship also eased much of her financial burden for the semester and will allow her to continue learning more about different cultures.

"I felt an immediate sense of relief, excitement and gratitude," she said. "The first thing I did was text a close friend of mine who had also applied. Finding out that we both received the scholarship made the moment even more meaningful."

Weink said she's most excited to study the future of the Middle East - from political realities to Jordanian and Palestinian culture. Of course, she also plans to enjoy the food.

"There's something different about learning from a place while actually living in it, sharing meals, having everyday conversations and observing daily life," she said. "I may be a little biased, but I truly believe the Levantine region has some of the best food in the world, so I plan to take full advantage of that."

Through the entire journey, one bit of advice has stuck out most to Weink - to grow as you go.

"I've learned that discomfort usually means you're growing in the right direction. Coming from a small town doesn't limit where you can go. It can ground you as you step into bigger spaces," Weink said. "I also believe you get out of something what you're willing to put into it. If you stay open and choose to be a student in everything, there is always something to learn."

In order for students to qualify for the Gilman Scholarship Program, they have to be Federal Pell Grant eligible, a U.S. citizen and in the process of applying or accepted to a credit-bearing study-abroad or internship program. Students must apply at gilmanscholarship.org, but Kane and the Augustana Office of Financial Aid are required to sign their application first. Gilman Scholarship Program applications are open now through Thursday, March 5.

To learn more about study away opportunities at Augustana, visit augie.edu/StudyAway.