Sources: Johnathan Bostrom, johnbos@k-state.edu;
and Jim Hohenbary, 785-532-6904, jimlth@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-2535, bbohn@k-state.edu

Friday, July 23, 2010

K-STATE STUDENT FROM MANHATTAN RECEIVES GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY IN CHINA

MANHATTAN -- A study abroad trip will be a family affair for Kansas State University's Johnathan Bostrom.

Bostrom, Manhattan, has received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 for undergraduate study abroad. K-State has now had 25 Gilman scholars since the first scholarships were awarded in 2002.

Bostrom is a junior in anthropology and history, with a minor in Chinese. He will use the scholarship to go to China, where he will study Mandarin and learn about Chinese culture firsthand.

He won't be making the trip alone. His wife and infant daughter will be coming along, too.

"I cherish my family, and I couldn't bear to be apart from them for an entire year. If they weren't coming, I wouldn't be going," Bostrom said. "Also, my daughter will be 9 months old when we leave for China, which is a prime age for language learning. I believe that language is one of the greatest gifts that parents give to their children."

The Bostroms will be going to Chengdu, a city in the Sichuan province, in August. It's a landlocked region in central China that is directly to the east of Tibet.

Bostrom has been studying Chinese for a year. "K-State has an excellent program with a talented and devoted staff," he said.

Gilman scholars are asked to do a project promoting studying abroad when they return from their trip. Bostrom plans to create a guide, perhaps on the Web, providing tips and advice for other nontraditional students who are considering bringing their families with them when they study abroad.

A 2006 graduate of Manhattan High School, Bostrom is the son of Daniel and Kathy Bostrom, Manhattan.