Mikah Bein ’26 Shares Study Abroad Experience, Funded by the Gilman International Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students to pursue study international study and internship programs. These opportunities equip Gilman Scholars with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to advancing the U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

Below, 2024 Gilman Scholarship Recipient Mikah Bein ('26, International Relations and Environment, Sustainability & Policy) shares her experience applying for the award and participating in her World Partner Program through Syracuse Abroad.

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With guidance from the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA), I was selected as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar for Fall 2024. This financial and academic support allowed me to pursue my passions combining international relations and environment sustainability within the beautiful city of Copenhagen, Denmark. As I was initially accepted into an abroad program in another country, circumstances required me to change my destination prior to departure. Throughout this transition, the Gilman team was exceptionally responsive and supportive, making the process of modifying my award and program clear and manageable. In close coordination with the CFSA office, I was able to identify the Danish Institute of Study Abroad (DIS) in Copenhagen that met my degree requirements while offering meaningful academic and cultural engagement. Their support ensured that a program change did not disrupt my academic trajectory, but instead led to a more fitting and impactful experience.

My initial reaction to DIS staff was exceptional. As I lived in a kollegium, a student residence alongside Danish students, the DIS housing staff were highly accommodating of my dietary needs. Even while students were still moving into the residence, the housing team had already delivered kosher kitchen accessories to ensure I could cook and eat comfortably from the start of the program. This level of consideration allowed me to feel supported and included, making the transition to life abroad significantly easier.

Living in a kollegium offered an authentic perspective on daily life in Denmark and fostered meaningful cross-cultural interactions. Outside of class, I explored neighborhoods throughout Copenhagen, studied in local cafés, and experienced the Danish concept of hygge, gaining insight into the country’s emphasis on balance, social trust, and community.

Academically, Denmark provided an ideal setting for my Environmental Sustainability Policy major. With guidance from my scholarship office, I selected courses that directly fulfilled degree requirements while allowing me to study sustainability as it is practiced in a global context. Through DIS coursework, I examined how environmental policy functions at the intersection of governance, economics, and social responsibility.

A highlight of the program was a visit to UN City in Copenhagen, where I met with environmental professionals and policymakers engaged in international climate initiatives. Observing Denmark’s renewable energy infrastructure and environmental policies reinforced my interest in developing sustainable policy frameworks that can be applied across borders.

My coursework also extended beyond environmental sustainability and challenged me to engage with complex social policy issues. In Prostitution and the Sex Trade in Europe, I examined how different European legal systems approach sex work and human rights. As part of the course, I traveled to Sweden and Amsterdam, where I met with human rights lawyers, activists, and individuals with lived experience in the sex trade. These discussions emphasized the importance of policy grounded in evidence, context, and lived realities.

Toward the end of my program, I was selected to participate in the Gilman Brussels Study Tour, which further expanded my understanding of international governance and policymaking. During the tour, I visited the European Parliament and other European Union institutions, engaging with officials and policy advisors working on issues such as energy security, environmental regulation, and transatlantic cooperation. This experience directly complemented my double major in International Relations and illustrated how policy decisions are shaped within multinational institutions. The personal and professional connections I made on this short tour continue to support me today.

The Gilman Scholarship was instrumental not only in enabling my study abroad experience but in supporting my ability to navigate change, maintain academic continuity, and fully engage with my host country. From facilitating a program transition to ensuring my coursework aligned with degree requirements, the combined support of Gilman and my university’s scholarship office allowed me to focus on learning rather than logistical barriers. My time in Denmark strengthened my academic focus, expanded my global perspective, and continues to inform my interest in policy, international cooperation, and public service.

Advice for Future Gilman Applicants

Applicants should clearly articulate how their study abroad plans connect to long-term academic and professional goals while demonstrating adaptability. The Gilman program values thoughtful, specific essays that highlight intentional coursework, meaningful engagement abroad, and a well-developed follow-on service project. Applicants are also encouraged to seek guidance from their scholarship office, as institutional support can strengthen both the application process and the study abroad experience itself.

The Gilman Scholarship is a program meant to support a generation full of diverse perspectives and cultural understanding by ensuring that study abroad is accessible, inclusive, and academically purposeful. By investing in students from a wide range of backgrounds, Gilman helps cultivate globally minded leaders equipped to navigate complex international challenges.