KU News Release

Three KU students win Gilman scholarships to study abroad this spring

LAWRENCE — Three University of Kansas students have won prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships for study abroad during the spring 2008 term.

The winners are:

— Christopher De La Cruz, Coffeyville senior, to study African culture at the University of Cape Town in South Africa
— Aavril Hernandez, Edgerton senior, to study Spanish language and culture at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose
— Samuel Schneider, Topeka senior, to study Chinese at the University of Hong Kong

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this congressionally funded program is highly competitive and administered by the Institute of International Education.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides about 820 awards of up to $5,000 for U.S. undergraduate students to pursue semester or yearlong study abroad opportunities.

Students interested in applying for Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships should contact KU’s Office of Study Abroad at (785) 864-3742 for more information about the application process.

The winners are listed below by hometown, major, parents’ names, high school attended and study abroad destination.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Edgerton 66021
Aavril Diana Hernandez is majoring in Spanish and is the daughter of Sharon Hernandez. She is a Gardner-Edgerton High School graduate. She is studying in Costa Rica through the University of Costa Rica-KU exchange program, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is KU’s longest-running exchange program.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
From Coffeyville
Christopher Lee De La Cruz is majoring in humanities and western civilization and African and African-American studies. He is the son of Donna and Juan De La Cruz. He has an associate’s degree from Coffeyville Community College and is a Field Kindley Memorial High School graduate. De La Cruz is studying at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, a student-initiated program through InterStudy Study Abroad.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66617
Samuel Aleksandr Schneider is majoring in English and is the son of David and Lisa Schneider. He is a graduate of Cair Paravel-Latin School in Topeka. At the University of Hong Kong, Schneider will study beginning and intermediate Chinese while taking courses for his degree in English.

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