Eleven University of Arkansas students have been selected to receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and four students have been selected as alternates. The scholarship, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, allows undergraduate students the opportunity to study or complete an internship abroad.

The Gilman Scholars were awarded a total of $39,000 to apply towards study abroad program costs. The scholarship program is intended to increase international experiences for American students, so as to better prepare them to take leadership roles in the increasingly global economy.

"When I received word that I had been awarded the Gilman Scholarship, I breathed a sigh of relief," said scholarship recipient Tabitha Orr. "This opportunity is an amazing one that will change my life and enrich my education. I am blessed to be able to do it without worry and with a sense that my hard work has paid off."

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

• Courtney Belcher, international relations major, studying abroad in Jordan
• Javier Gamboa, English major, studying abroad in Mexico
• Gerald Hill, anthropology major, studying abroad in Greece
• Talia Johnson, nursing major, studying abroad in South Korea
• William Lea, chemical engineering major, study abroad program to be determined
• Lori Miller, accounting major, studying abroad in Ireland
• Tabitha Orr, history and African and African American studies major, studying abroad in France
• Carolyn Paananen, Spanish major, studying abroad in Chile
• Emily Pham, international studies major, studying abroad in Japan
• Gabriela Villalobos, interior design major, studying abroad in Italy
• Andrea Wilson, psychology major, studying abroad in Brazil

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP ALTERNATES

• Layla Leon, psychology major, studying abroad in Mexico
• Erik Salazar, international business major, study abroad program to be determined
• Tevin Whitney, social work major, studying abroad in France
• Jocelyn Wulf, drama major, studying abroad in England

Applications for the spring 2016 Gilman Scholarships will be available in Aug. 2015 and are due in Oct. 2015. Undergraduate students with limited financial means who plan to study abroad are encouraged to apply.