College of Charleston junior international studies major Bianca Garcia was awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad for the 2014-15 academic year in South Korea. 

Garcia received $5,000 from the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program, which “offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad.”

RELATED: Learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program

“I decided to apply for the Gilman Scholarship after meeting with my Study Abroad advisor Sarah Simmonite,” Garcia said. “I was a bit hesitant to apply prior to the meeting, but I was encouraged to apply after discussing my scholarship options with her.”

Garcia will live in Seoul, South Korea. She will further her knowledge of the Korean language and take classes related to Korean history. “I am captivated by Korean culture,” She said. “I find Korea’s ability to blend modern thinking with traditional values very interesting. My interest in Korean culture was a factor that led me to declare my major in international studies.”

RELATED: Find out more about studying abroad at the College

Garcia is one of 10 students to receive a Gilman Scholarship in the last four academic years.

“We are excited that Bianca Garcia has been awarded this scholarship,” Andrew Sobiesuo, director of the center for international education, said. “The Gilman scholarship is indeed a tremendous help to financially needy students to study abroad. Several College of Charleston students have benefitted from this award in the past few years and as more students become more aware of these resources, we expect the number of students receiving this award will increase significantly.”

Garcia plans to graduate in spring 2016 and hopes to pursue a profession in which she can help students study and live abroad.