������ҹ�����þ�

When Sophia Taylor ’26 learned she had been selected as a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the news represented far more than a financial award; it signaled an opening door to a global academic experience she once thought impossible. A major from Canaan, New Hampshire, Taylor was awarded a $3,000 Gilman Scholarship which she will use to support her participation in Norwich University’s Maymester 2026 study abroad course in Ireland, led by . Her studies during the program will center on international human trafficking, an issue that aligns deeply with both her academic interests and her career aspirations.

For Taylor, like many Norwich students balancing rigorous academic schedules with leadership commitments, the opportunity is profound. Norwich’s Maymester programs, short-term, faculty-led study abroad experiences administered through the International Center, are designed precisely for students like her: students who want to explore the world but whose campus commitments make a full semester away difficult or impossible.

Taylor described this challenge clearly and thoughtfully in her Gilman application:

“With my demanding schedule as a student-athlete and resident advisor, a full semester abroad would not be possible. A concentrated summer session ensures I can fully commit to the experience without compromising my leadership or athletic responsibilities, while gaining the benefits of global study.”

Her words reflect not only personal determination but the structural importance of opportunities like the Gilman Scholarship — programs designed to expand global engagement for students who might otherwise be unable to pursue it.

A Competitive National Scholarship with Global Impact

The Gilman Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, is among the most competitive and influential study abroad scholarships in the nation. Formally known as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, it supports expanding access to global education while advancing skills critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman Program has been administered by the Institute of International Education and has played a pivotal role in diversifying the geographic, socioeconomic, and academic backgrounds of American students who study abroad. Nearly 60% of Gilman recipients come from small towns or rural communities across the country, a demographic often underrepresented in international learning opportunities. 

To qualify for a Gilman Scholarship, students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or demonstrate eligibility for one during their study abroad term. The scholarship is merit-based and highly competitive, awarding students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a thoughtful vision for how global experience will shape their future contributions.

The program’s mission is threefold:

• Develop a generation of future American leaders with the career skills and international networks to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
• Support young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the broader world needed for successful careers.
• Expand the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad, to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values, critical to national security. 

These goals reflect the legacy of Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, after whom the scholarship is named. The program was established through the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. Shortly after its passage, Rep. Gilman retired in 2003 following a 30-year congressional career, including his chairmanship of the House Committee on International Relations. His vision for the scholarship was rooted in the belief that international education strengthens individuals, communities, and nations.

His own words speak powerfully to that belief:

“Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator, in the international community.”

Maymester: Norwich’s Gateway to the World

At Norwich University, Maymester programs create an accessible pathway for global study. Designed as short-term, intensive learning experiences, these faculty-led courses allow students to earn 1-3 Norwich credits during the summer while traveling abroad for two to three weeks. All programs are coordinated and supported by the International Center.

In 2026, Norwich faculty will lead Maymester programs in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and Portugal, each designed to connect students with real-world contexts, cross-cultural perspectives, and academic discovery.

For Taylor, Ireland was the perfect fit. Professor O’Shaughnessy’s course on international human trafficking aligns with both Taylor’s criminal justice studies and her growing interest in combating global exploitation. The ability to explore this issue both academically and onsite — through discussions, field visits, and applied research — will deepen her understanding of a complex transnational problem.

The Gilman Scholarship ensures this opportunity is financially attainable. It also affirms the academic significance of Taylor’s work and the global importance of the topic she will examine.

A Norwich Scholar with Purpose

Balancing academics with varsity athletics and her responsibilities as a resident advisor, Taylor exemplifies the spirit of Norwich’s mission of experiential education. Her leadership on campus is evident, and her upcoming Maymester in Ireland is a natural extension of those commitments. It offers not only a chance to deepen her global awareness, but to strengthen her capacity to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Interim Provost Lea M. Williams celebrated Taylor’s accomplishment, stating:

“We are increasingly proud of Sophia and all she has achieved. Having our students represented on a global stage through opportunities like the Gilman Scholarship reflects the best of Norwich University. Her commitment to studying an issue as urgent and important as human trafficking exemplifies the kind of leadership and purpose we strive to cultivate. We are honored to support her as she takes this meaningful step in her academic journey.”

The Gilman Scholarship selection will provide her with deeper academic preparation, clarity of purpose, and commitment to becoming an informed professional acting with both compassion and global awareness. 

For Norwich University, Taylor’s award is another example of a growing number of students who successfully leverage international opportunities to advance their education and leadership potential. The Gilman Scholarship not only supports those individual recipients, but it also highlights the value of such experiences. 

Looking Ahead: Ireland and Beyond

As Taylor travels to Ireland in May 2026, she will benefit both from the financial support of the Gilman Scholarship and the broader mission it represents. It will expand her understanding, build global connections, and prepare her for future international engagement as well. 

Her overall experience will contribute to a larger national goal of developing graduates who understand international issues, respect cultural differences, and bring informed perspectives to their future work. Additionally, when she returns to Norwich in the fall, she will bring with her knowledge and insight that enriches the community. 

The Gilman Scholarship exists to help create leaders with global awareness. Norwich University develops individuals who think, act, and serve with purpose. Taylor’s upcoming study abroad experience sits squarely at that intersection, reflecting the best of Norwich and the enduring promise of an education American in character yet global in perspective.