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When Chanelle Calderon ‘27 learned she’d been selected as Curry College’s first-ever recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, her reaction was immediate disbelief, followed quickly by pride, gratitude, and a phone call to her family.
The nationally competitive Gilman Scholarship is designed to expand access to study abroad by supporting undergraduate students with financial need while encouraging participation in global learning experiences.
“I didn’t expect to be selected,” Calderon said. “The scholarship is very competitive, so realizing that weeks of writing, revising, and completing forms led to this milestone, for both myself and the College, felt surreal and deeply rewarding.”
Calderon first learned about the scholarship through Curry’s Office of Global Programming, where an advisor encouraged her to apply. “What motivated me most was knowing this could make studying abroad possible,” she said. For Calderon, a double major in nursing and psychology, the scholarship made an international experience that once felt out of reach a realistic part of her academic path.
This spring, Calderon will travel to Dublin, Ireland, to participate in the Psychology: Global Perspectives study abroad program. The course explores behavior and cognition within a diverse urban setting, using Dublin’s museums, institutions, and public spaces as living classrooms. “I’ll be examining how people think, interact, and navigate daily life in a diverse environment,” she explained.
With her dedicated schoolwork and extensive clinical requirements, Calderon said study abroad opportunities can sometimes be limited for students pursuing a nursing degree. “This program gives me a rare chance to experience global education without disrupting my coursework,” she said.
Beyond academics, the experience represents a major personal milestone for the Curry junior. “This will be my first time traveling without my family,” Calderon shared. “It’s a big step toward building independence and confidence.”
She expects the experience to shape her career aspirations as well. Studying psychology and nursing through an international lens, she said, will deepen her understanding of how cultural context influences health and care. “It’s easy to develop a narrow perspective when everything is viewed through a U.S.-based lens,” Calderon said. “Being immersed in a different cultural environment will help me understand how physical and mental conditions can present differently across cultures, and how those cultural factors shape behavior, cognition, and care needs.”
As she prepares for her time abroad, Calderon is looking forward to fully embracing life in Ireland, from sightseeing at Dublin Castle to experiencing Gaelic games, and even sampling local bakeries.
As Curry’s first Gilman Scholar, Calderon hopes her story encourages other students to see study abroad as achievable. “Don’t count yourself out,” she said. “There are so many resources and people on campus ready to help. These opportunities aren’t reserved for a certain type of student—it’s about using your strengths and taking a chance on yourself.”
Her advice for future applicants is to start early, seek support, and stay authentic. “The Gilman program wants to hear your story,” she said. “Be honest, be yourself, and remember that your background and experiences matter.”
For Calderon, the honor extends beyond personal achievement.