Two students from the University of Southern Indiana’s (USI) Romain College of Business have been selected for the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a program designed to support U.S. undergraduates with financial need who wish to study or intern abroad.
Natalia Duron and Ivy Ke, both junior economics majors, were named scholarship recipients and will participate in study abroad programs this summer.
The Gilman Scholarship is highly competitive, offering up to $5,000 in funding, with additional financial support available for students studying critical need languages or conducting STEM-related research. Applications are reviewed based on academic preparedness, the potential impact of the program on the student’s academic and career trajectory, and the broader community impact both abroad and upon return. USI’s Center for International Programs supports applicants with resources such as workshops and feedback on application essays to ensure their submissions are as strong as possible.
Duron, from Huntingburg, Indiana, expressed her excitement and gratitude for being selected. “It is a meaningful recognition of my hard work and dedication to academics,” Duron said. “This scholarship not only eases the financial burden of studying abroad but excites me even more for my study abroad program.”
Duron will participate in the “USI Castles to Corporations: Studying International Business in Western Europe” program, led by Dr. Nicholas Rhew, Chair of the Management and Information Sciences Department. The program will take students across Germany, the Netherlands, and France, examining the impact of institutional forces and cultural differences on business practices and company performance. Duron, who received a $2,500 scholarship for this opportunity, is eager to immerse herself in this international business experience. “I am very excited to meet like-minded peers and hopefully create lifelong friendships,” she said. “By the end of this program, I hope to have learned new things about myself!”
Ke, from Mount Carmel, Illinois, also expressed deep appreciation for receiving the Gilman Scholarship. She was awarded $5,000, along with an additional $1,000 for the Critical Language Need Award. “While I was super excited about studying abroad, I was also really stressed about how I was going to afford it,” Ke said. “This scholarship made it possible for me to say yes to this opportunity without constantly worrying about the financial side of things.”
Ke will travel to Shanghai, China, for the CIEE Summer Study Abroad program, where she will study on the campus of East China Normal University. The program will offer cultural immersion in one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, while providing students with international experience and valuable professional skills. Having lived in China as a child, Ke sees the trip as a “full-circle moment.” “I’m most looking forward to reconnecting with my cultural roots, improving my Mandarin, and learning more about China’s modern history in the place where it all happened,” Ke said. “I chose this program because it combines cultural immersion with an academic course that helps me better understand the country’s development and its role in the world today, which ties into my interests in international business.”
Both Duron and Ke believe their education in the Romain College of Business has prepared them well for these study abroad experiences. They are excited to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to their international studies.
“My time in the Romain College of Business has given me a strong foundation in understanding global markets, economic systems, and business communication,” Ke said. “Classes like international economics have helped me see the bigger picture and made me more confident stepping into unfamiliar environments.”
