News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
There’s a wide range of people who would claim that travel is the best thing that’s ever happened to them. Visiting new countries, continents, and cultures can be a life-changing experience.
When you’re young it can seem like an unattainable hope reserved for future years. The Gilman Scholarship Program is an opportunity that allows international travel for a wide range of students. Funded by the U.S Department of State, the program’s goal is to provide specific support to students with limited financial resources to study abroad. They state that, “Students must be receiving the Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that they will be during their term of study abroad program or internship.” Other eligibility criteria include being an undergraduate, a U.S citizen, and in the process of applying to or participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program.
Sarah Kissinger (center) traveled to New Zealand on a Gilman Scholarship.
Sarah Kissinger is a 2021 Sisters High School graduate and recently returned to share her own experience receiving the Gilman Scholarship with upperclassmen in SHS AP Government class taught by Gail Greaney.
“I’d always wanted to study abroad but didn’t really have a lot of hope until I learned about and applied for this scholarship opportunity,” said Kissinger.
Kissinger was admitted into the program at 20 years old in 2024, and became a student at the University of Otago’s study abroad program in New Zealand.
Other applicants that year were able to travel to places like Ghana, Switzerland, and South Korea.
“One of the really cool parts of my program were the student flats where I lived with other international students. I met one girl from Ukraine who had been living in New Zealand for the past seven years, and other students from America, Canada, and Norway,” says Kissinger.
Her studies in New Zealand revolved around classes that helped her engage in the local community, taking marine biology, Māori studies, and the history of New Zealand from the 17th century.
“It really changes the way you view yourself and the way you view the U.S. as a country. It definitely situated me more on where we stand on the world’s stage and changed perspective on myself and how I view others,” says Kissinger. “If you’re curious and open- minded you’ll definitely be able to engage more. What the program is looking for are bridge builders and sending students who represent them well and have genuine purpose and leave a positive impact.”
Applications for the scholarship are open, for more information go to https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/.
Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2025
