Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Two Kansas State University students will use the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to take their learning beyond U.S. borders.

Jessica Bauerle, junior in elementary education, Hiawatha, is going to Ghana. Angela Glean, junior in kinesiology, Overland Park, is going to Ecuador.

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards up to $5,000 for undergraduate study abroad. Congressionally funded and established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, the scholarship lets U.S. undergraduate students at a two-year or four-year college or university participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Bauerle and Glean are two students out of 700 nationally selected to study abroad in summer 2013.

"Studying abroad helps students like Jessica and Angela because it equips them with a different lens with which to view their academics, careers and world," said Elizabeth Davis, study abroad adviser. "This lens helps students see new and different perspectives, which leads to new ideas and new solutions to problems. The Gilman Scholarship is important because it helps fund study abroad opportunities to those who may not otherwise be able to afford it."

Bauerle chose to study in Ghana to explore diversity and a culture different from her own. The program in Ghana includes a service learning and volunteer component that will complement her degree in elementary education by giving her the opportunity to visit local orphanages and underprivileged schools.

"It is such an honor to receive the Gilman Scholarship," Bauerle said. "This scholarship is going to help me further my education as I study diversity around the world and will allow my education to develop limitlessly. I have a feeling that these young individuals I will meet during our time volunteering will have a huge impact on my life and my future career. They will be able to teach me more in one day than I could teach them in a whole year."

Bauerle serves on the Council for Exceptional Children and has worked as a career and employment services paraprofessional, student life communication workshop panelist and caller for the College of Education Telefund. She enjoys intramural softball and has received the university's semester honors for five semesters.

Her additional awards and honors include the Student Leadership Scholarship, Office of International Programs Scholarship, University Studies Abroad Consortium Scholarship and Diversity for Community Funding Award. She is a member of Golden Key and the Phi Kappa Phi honors societies. A graduate of Hiawatha High School, she is the daughter of Carol Strahm, Sabetha.

The passion and enjoyment of life exhibited by some of Glean's international friends from Ecuador played a large role in her decision to study in the country. She is looking forward to the beauty of the countryside and experiencing the Ecuadorian culture.

"This scholarship will allow me to afford the trip to and time in Quito, Ecuador, where I will attend Universidad San Francisco de Quito and be immersed in the Ecuadorian culture and Spanish language," Glean said. "I am tremendously excited to meet my host family and experience the true Ecuadorian way of life."

Glean is the vice president of the Kinesiology Student Association; director of communications for the university chapter of Mortar Board, the national college senior honor society; and a university transfer ambassador. She is a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key International Honour Society and Kansas State University Philippine Student Association. She has received a Pauline Compton Scholarship from the kinesiology department, K-State Transfer Achievement Award, Global Education Initiative Scholarship from the office of international programs and a Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarship. Glean previously served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and transferred to Kansas State University from Johnson County Community College. Currently she serves as a minister at St. Isidore's Catholic Student Center. A graduate of Shawnee Mission West High in Overland Park, she is the daughter of Susan and Joseph Petree, Overland Park.

Both Bauerle and Glean will complete follow-up projects for promoting the Gilman Scholarship and studying abroad upon their return.

The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Since 2001 the scholarship program has been offering grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students to pursue academic studies abroad in hopes of preparing students to assume significant roles in a global economy. Award recipients are chosen through a competitive selection process.