From Boone to Tokyo: How the Gilman Scholarship Made My Study Abroad Dream a Reality
My name is Brayden Hughes, and I am a senior studying Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, through EF Study Abroad. This three-week, faculty-led program focused on understanding cultural differences in psychology. My biggest takeaway was gaining insight into how Japan approaches elder care and mental wellness. This is an experience that directly aligns with my goal of becoming a physical therapist.
Beyond the classroom, Japan offered an unbelievable experience, allowing me to see first-hand the things I grew up loving: Pokémon, anime, and JDM culture. Navigating between each Pokémon Center in Tokyo was an absolute blast. However, another staple was the cuisine. While in Tokyo, I had the opportunity to try authentic A5 Wagyu, undoubtedly the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life. On top of all that, visiting iconic sights like the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest made the trip unforgettable.
What the photos don't show is how much walking took place. We were walking 30,000 steps a day just traveling between different districts such as Akihabara, Shibuya, and Harajuku. On top of that, I made great friends on this trip that I otherwise never would have met.
We were constantly going into konbinis for quick food or grabbing drinks out of street vending machines between neighborhoods. Honestly, wandering around, getting lost in different districts, and living on Pocari Sweat and “famichiki” with everyone was the best part of the trip.
When I first started looking into going to Japan, it almost felt like a fever dream. Coming from a small town in North Carolina and as a first-generation college student, I constantly asked myself: How could I possibly afford this?
That’s when I learned about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The Gilman Scholarship is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State that enables high-need undergraduate students to study or intern abroad. It is specifically designed to support students receiving a Federal Pell Grant, helping break down financial barriers for individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to gain global experience. The award provides up to $5,000 to cover program tuition, travel, and living expenses, opening doors for students from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented fields.
Applying for the Gilman requires reflection, effort, and dedication. The application process centers on drafting four short essays (up to 500 words each), each evaluating a distinct aspect of your study abroad plan:
Essay 1: Motivations for Studying or Interning Abroad: This prompt asks you to make the academic and career case for your trip. You explain why you chose your specific program and host country, and how the international experience will directly contribute to your future academic and professional goals.
Essay 2: Preparation and Skill Development: This prompt evaluates your readiness and adaptability. You describe specific examples of how past academic, professional, extracurricular, or volunteer experiences prepared you to adapt to your host country, as well as the new skills and knowledge you hope to gain while abroad.
Essay 3: Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats: As a U.S. Department of State program, Gilman emphasizes citizen diplomacy. This prompt asks how you plan to build relationships with your host community and share what it means to be an American citizen while abroad.
Essay 4: Contributions to U.S. Communities & Follow-on Service Project Proposal: This prompt asks how you will pay it forward upon returning. You outline a concrete project that highlights how study abroad enhances career readiness and global leadership, while identifying your primary target audience and explaining why you selected them.
Working through these essays was a challenging process, but I wasn't doing it alone. I received incredible support from the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships here at App State. Their guidance played a major role in helping me refine my drafts, clarify my narrative, and submit a competitive application. A few months after hitting submit, I received the confirmation: I had been awarded the Gilman Scholarship
Receiving the Gilman did far more than ease the financial burden of my trip. It gave me the freedom to fully immerse myself in Japanese culture, step outside my comfort zone, and prove to myself that I belonged in global spaces.
If you have ever looked at a study abroad program and immediately written it off because of the cost, I encourage you not to count yourself out. The resources are here to support you, and the opportunity is well within your reach.
Take the shot and apply. You might just find yourself walking through the bamboo forests of Kyoto next summer.
About Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) works with the Appalachian community to recruit and support students pursuing national scholarships and fellowships for study abroad, language study, research, and post-graduate education opportunities. This is achieved through promotion, mentorship, and advising throughout the entire scholarship journey. NCS is committed to helping undergraduate and graduate students discover ways to connect their Appalachian education to their future academic and professional endeavors through scholarship opportunities. Learn more at ncs.appstate.edu.
Appalachian students interested in applying for the Gilman Scholarship should contact the Gilman advisor, Dara Carney-Nedelman, at carneyndk@appstate.edu. You can also complete the Gilman Interest Sign-up Sheet. For more information, visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website.