Two TWU students awarded Gilman scholarships

August 4, 2021 — DENTON — Texas Woman’s University students Ashley Elliot and Demetria Ober look forward to expanding their worldview thanks to their recently awarded U.S. Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships.

The scholarships will allow Elliot, an English major, to study abroad at Harlaxton College in England for the Spring 2022 semester and Ober, a social work major, to study abroad at Universidad de Granada in Spain for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

Through the Harlaxton College Program, Elliot will stay with a host family in Grantham, England, study at Harlaxton College and experience local culture through faculty-led excursions. When asked why she was interested in studying abroad, Elliot said that “studying abroad is important to my goals. I want to work in a field where information is very important. This opportunity will help me learn about English culture and people.”

Through the International Studies Abroad program, Ober will study at Universidad de Granada, which “offers an excellent Spanish learning program and is said to be the number one location in Europe for learning Spanish,” according to Ober. As an individual who experiences a disability, Ober “never imagined having enough courage to pursue something such as studying abroad. Growing up, I never had enough resources to experience anything beyond school related trips. I knew that I wanted to break these barriers by doing things that my family could never imagine.” Ober added that she hopes to inspire future generations by “striving for things that are unexpected, yet life changing in a positive way.”

About the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.

About the Harlaxton College Program

Located in Grantham, England, the Harlaxton College Program serves as the British campus for the University of Evansville (Indiana). Texas Woman’s University has partnered with the Harlaxton College Program since 2002, and more than 100 Pioneers have participated in this unique study abroad experience. TWU faculty also have opportunities to apply for semester- and summer-long visiting teaching appointments.

About the International Studies Abroad Program

The ISA is a TWU partner that offers education abroad programming in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Pacific. Opportunities include study abroad, internships abroad and service-learning opportunities.

Page last updated 4:13 PM, August 4, 2021