by Niki Acton '16

Ngan Le '17, double major in theatre and biology, has always loved Korean culture. She watches Korean dramas, game shows, and television series, and has become familiar with the Korean language. This fall, she will get to experience the culture directly when she sets off for a semester abroad in South Korea.

"I chose to study abroad in South Korea because I've watched a lot of Korean shows," said Le. "They show the beautiful landscape, culture, food, and history—and I wanted to see it for myself."

Le's semester abroad is supported by a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. She is one of five Knox students to receive the award this fall, and without it, wouldn't have been able to study abroad.

"If it weren't for the scholarship, I would have had to turn down going abroad," said Le. "The scholarship has immensely helped my family."

The competitive Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship program offers grants to students studying or interning abroad. Available to students with financial need, the program seeks to help a diverse group of U.S. students study and intern in an array of countries. Knox students have consistently received a high number of Gilman Scholarships each year.

In addition to Le, the following Knox students received Gilman Awards for fall 2016:

• Caroline Dzik '17, who will be studying in Argentina.
• Donald Harris, Jr. '17, who will be studying in China.
• Karen Lynch '17, who will be studying in Jordan.
• Lillian Sronkoski '18, who will be studying in India.

"Our students' success in receiving Gilman Scholarships is evidence of the seriousness of their interest in international study and their academic preparedness for this study," said Brenda Tooley, director of the Eleanor Stellyes Center for Global Studies. "It's also a testimony to Knox's commitment to global studies for all students."

At Knox, students may study off campus at any point during their academic career (most do so in their sophomore or junior year); study abroad is encouraged through a policy that ensures that financial aid follows students on all approved study-abroad and off-campus programs.

The Eleanor Stellyes Center for Global studies is instrumental in ensuring that students have the resources to make their goals for study abroad possible. Because of this, about half of Knox students study off-campus before they graduate.

Pictured above: Ngan Le, left, in rehearsal for a recent Department of Theatre production. Le plans to pursue a career in theatre when she graduates.