Growing up in a small shipbuilding town in Maine, surrounded by the ocean and wilderness, I fell in love with nature and animals. Yet, I always dreamt of exploring the world beyond my town borders. I determined early on two of my goals were to earn a college degree to work with animals and to see the world. However, affording higher education turned out to be one of the biggest challenges of my life. It is the main reason it took me 25 years, three attempts, and a pandemic to earn a degree.

My family was not wealthy, and after losing my mother to melanoma when I was very young, we struggled to afford the basics on only one income. It made extras like going out to eat, fun events, and travel a bit out of reach for us. And because we struggled financially college, study abroad, and travel were costly dreams that, for most of my young life, seemed unattainable for me.

In high school, I was an average student. Although I played soccer since I was young, I was not nearly good enough for recruitment or an athletic scholarship. I was not offered scholarships for my first attempt to attend college out of state. I did not receive them for my second attempt at an in-state university, either. I was just a kid trying to figure it out all on my own and had no idea I could apply for or earn scholarships.

When I left college, both times due to financial reasons, I did not know how I would ever be able to manage the pressure it takes to excel at college, work, and handling family and home responsibilities. For many years I tried to find enthusiasm in various jobs and career avenues. Still, nothing fulfilled me. I would reach a point where I could not learn more or advance further, became bored and restless, and wishful for change.

College, study abroad, and travel were costly dreams that, for most of my young life, seemed unattainable for me.

Flash-forward 20 years later, I took a chance one more time and launched into my third try as a non-traditional student, returning to college at 35 years old. I fully intended to finish what I started long ago, but with a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, which would lead me into a career that fueled my passion for nature and wildlife. And it was the first time I took a chance at earning a scholarship that would allow the world I dreamt of seeing for so long to become a reality.

I first heard about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from a professor and mentor, Dr. Wendy Kuntz. While in the field conducting nesting surveys for manu o kū, a native Hawaiian bird I was collecting research on, I was telling her about a study abroad program I discovered and was thinking of applying to. I mentioned the costs involved; flights, lodging, tuition, food, spending money, and, oh yeah, the COVID-19 pandemic, being reasons I was hesitant to try, though. Dr. Kuntz then told me about the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship that helps fund international study abroad and thought I would be a great candidate.

We were at the start of the coronavirus lockdown, but it was such an incredible program I could not stop thinking about it being possible. I said I never received a scholarship, but Dr. Kuntz encouraged me to apply anyway. As soon as we finished our survey that morning, I went home to research more about Gilman. It was what I needed and wanted. I thought, what did I have to lose? I initiated my application immediately.

“Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”

Benjamin A. Gilman (R), Rep. New York

What is Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship?

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a program of the US Department of State program that offers funding provided by the US Government. The scholarship “enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.” Not only does Gilman offer financial assistance, but the overall program enables American students to immerse themselves in global locations with diverse cultures and languages, learning proficiency in skills that are critically important to academic, career, professional, and personal development.

Named after the late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman from New York, he chaired the House Foreign Relations Committee from 1995-2000 and believed, “Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”

The Gilman application eligibility considers individuals who are citizens and nationals of the United States of America, undergraduate students, and recipients of Federal Pell Grants while in school or on study abroad. Students must also be in the process of applying to or have been accepted to, a credit-bearing international study abroad or internship program. The application consisted of compiling several items, including Statement of Purpose and Community Impact essays, obtaining transcripts, letters of recommendation, a letter of acceptance to a study abroad or international internship program, and confirmation from your university or college financial aid office confirming Pell Grant recipient status.

First Program: South Africa

In February 2020, before I knew about Gilman, I applied for and was accepted to a month-long study abroad program in South Africa. It was a faculty-sponsored venture led by an entomology professor at my university, Dr. Mark Wright. Originally from South Africa, Dr. Wright conducts various ongoing research studies within locations at the Greater National Kruger Park.

The program, African Ecology and Conservation, would cover activities, lectures, and research projects offering a hands-on African conservation learning experience. Based on Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park, we would live in a bush camp for a month without electricity or running water, making meals by fire pit and moonlight. Experiences and interactions with local conservation professionals, community members, other students, anti-poaching units, local veterinary teams, and seasoned researchers provided an immersive exposure to the challenges faced in conservation in South Africa and the rewards of ethical, dedicated efforts to address those challenges.

Studying in Africa would provide the foundation to make my future career goals of working in conservation research and wildlife protection possible. Additionally, working closely with scientists and professionals in the field teaches skills crucial to real-world experience, which is invaluable. It was also perfect as it was directly through my university.

Unfortunately, a month after my acceptance to the South Africa program, we were at the very beginning of the pandemic, and travel halted across the globe. There was a slim chance that international flights would be possible in the following months. Heartbreakingly, the trip was canceled. There was potential for a postponement to next summer. However, I was not sure my graduation track would allow me to wait until then to complete the internship credits I needed.

I cannot lie, I was crushed. COVID-19 was already taking away so much from everyone. I waited years to reach this point, and I could not fathom waiting longer. Of course, if anything would slow my progress, it would have to be a global, mutating, deadly virus. But I could not let it stop me.

Second Program: Kenya

Due to my first choice program cancellation, I initially applied to Gilman under the semester-long program, Wildlife, Water, and Climate Resilience, at a school in Kenya. There I would learn hands-on research techniques and real-world applications while taking courses like Wildlife Ecology, Human Dimensions of Conservation, Techniques in Resource Management, and Directed Research. I was notably excited about the Directed Research course, which involved learning methods to solve vital environmental issues and species protection. Combined with the human and community aspects incorporated into a conservation atmosphere, while set in one of the most incredible natural spaces on the planet, you could consider my bags packed.

Clicking the submit button for my finalized Gilman application, I thought here goes nothing. Despite the confidence of my professor in my background, knowledge, and skills, I did not imagine I had a chance of being chosen. After reading how accomplished and competitive the applicant pool generally is, I had low expectations.

A couple of months passed, and the Gilman acceptance notification deadline went to the back of my mind. Then like an early Christmas gift at the beginning of December, I received an email from Gilman. I read the first word, “Congratulations…,” my heart leaped out of my chest with happiness, pride, and gratitude.

They chose me to be a recipient! I was selected for a scholarship!! With this news, I was checking off two goals I thought would never happen; funding for school and travel in one. My next step was to wait to see if I was accepted to the Kenya program.

I also needed to remember the stipulations from Gilman about scholarship disbursement and the pandemic consequences of travel. Funded through the US State Department, there were regulations for student travel safety. Any country of study needed to comply with the US Department of State Travel Advisory and be at a status level of 1 or 2. Due to COVID-19 impacts at the time, only six countries in the world were at level 2, none at level 1, and Kenya and South Africa travel advisories were both at level 4. Under the rules, and as a student representing Gilman, I could not travel to any country with a level 3 or 4 travel advisory status.

However, I did not need to consider that for long. As the pandemic persisted, so did the cancellation of events, celebrations, jobs, and education programs around the globe. The school was not immune and informed me they were coping with a hiring freeze. Without professors or instructors, they could not offer the curriculum. Without a study abroad program, I could not utilize the Gilman scholarship. It was official; my second choice program fell victim to the COVID-19 cancellation tally.

As the pandemic persisted, so did the cancellation of events, celebrations, jobs, and education programs around the globe.

I decided to withdraw my plans for Kenya and contacted Gilman to see if I had alternative options. They were more than helpful and supportive. The team at Gilman explained I would be allowed to find another study abroad program or internship within a country that complied with the travel advisory level or find a virtual opportunity with an international company and participate remotely. Otherwise, I would have to decline the scholarship.

Gilman also allowed me an extension with more time to find a program I could bridge with the scholarship. I had to switch gears quickly if I was going to discover, apply to, and process a whole new program. Unforeseeably, the search led me to destinations better than I imagined.

A Second Chance at My First Choice

It was a year into the pandemic. After finding out South Africa and then Kenya was off the table, I looked everywhere for other options. Then one lovely March morning, I awoke to receive an email from Dr. Wright; my chances were restored! He confirmed that travel to South Africa was reopening, and the bush camp was ready to accept us again. I started jumping around my apartment with joy!

It was a short-lived moment of bliss as I remembered the travel advisory stipulation. If I were going to be able to use the funding from Gilman toward study abroad in South Africa, their current travel status of level 4 would need to drop to a 1 or 2 in the next two months. And by the looks of the rollercoaster trends of the pandemic, it was not likely to happen. Unless the US State Department decided to lower advisory status at least four weeks before traveling, I would not receive the scholarship.

The beginning of May came and went. South Africa remained at level 4, and I did not receive the scholarship for that study-abroad trip. Although I would not be able to represent Gilman under this program, there was good news! Fortunately, I earned funding to travel from another source and found myself en route to Africa in June 2021.

Flying from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, to Hoedspruit, South Africa, I arrived at my month-long bush camp home, managed by Transfrontier Africa (TA). As a conservation and research center, TA works closely with the local community, other grassroots organizations, international research institutions, students, and volunteers to protect and maintain wildlife welfare, habitat, land, and water quality on the approximately 60,000-hectare reserve. TA’s key efforts include: conducting significant ecological research within park boundaries, strengthening partnerships with the adjacent tribal communities, and seeking new technologies and partnerships to solve the illegal wildlife trade.

In 2013, TA founder, Craig Spencer, created The Black Mambas (TBM), the first unarmed, all-female, anti-poaching unit, which trains Black women from the community to become guardians of the land and leaders in their communities. I had the privilege and pleasure of spending time with the women while on fence patrols at night and again tagging along with the Mambas one day into the local village communities to deliver food parcels to families. Getting to know the women and connecting with them on a deeper level was the most rewarding highlight of the venture.

The people I met, the places and wildlife I saw, and the food and experiences have stayed close to me since I left. It was a time and place that will live in my heart forever, and I am honored to have witnessed it. I was able to create relationships with people that transformed into friendships. And as if pre-planned, my new relationships led me to tie my encounters with nonprofits in South Africa with the virtual internship I secured at long last – while sitting by the fire at the bush camp, no less.

The Third Time is the Charm!

With everything going online in the past couple of years, you would think virtual internships were everywhere. Yet, legitimate internships in other countries were challenging to discover. It was also difficult to get in touch with people due to many office closures, job layoffs, illness, and technical issues, making the search tedious. I looked for something virtual from December 2020 through March 2021 and found nothing that was a good fit.

I was determined to find a way to finish what I started with this scholarship. The timeline to complete the Gilman requirements and earn the funding was ticking away. It was already halfway through the time provided to find an international, credit-bearing study abroad or internship program, and nothing was on the horizon.

As if I was not involved enough with all things school, work, and home life, at the end of 2020, I came across a social media post by Danielle da Silva, the founder of a Canadian nonprofit organization, Photographers Without Borders (PWB). Created in 2009 from Dani’s idea of “a unified world where humans have remembered and realized their role as healers and guardians of this beautiful planet…,” PWB sees storytelling media as crucial in amplifying voices and accomplishes this through on-the-ground Assignments, campaigns for change, original documentary series, ethical storytelling courses, an annual magazine, and more.

The post stated that for the next year, she would offer personal mentorship to a select few people interested in wildlife, land, water protection, photography, and/or storytelling. As I am also a photographer and aspire to combine my education and photography into conservation storytelling to inspire action and change, I could not have imagined a better fit. Plus, I wanted to reignite myself and creatively boost my skills while learning the business of photography. I applied for the mentorship, and shockingly, she picked me! In January 2021, I began working with Dani on my creative endeavors, yet the search remained for a program where I could utilize the Gilman scholarship I earned.

In May 2021, days before I was to leave for South Africa, I was on the edge of giving up my scholarship with Gilman and about to let them know I needed to decline the funding when fortune struck me for the third time. In a weekly meeting with Dani, discussing recent stressors, I mentioned the Gilman situation. As she listened to my position, Dani asked if I considered PWB. Frankly, it never occurred to me there may be internship possibilities, although they aligned perfectly.

She let me know a position was open; Project Coordinator for the Africa region. The flexibility of a remote internship with my class schedule was ideal. Not only that, but I could link some of the nonprofits I worked with in South Africa with project Assignments I would coordinate. It was all falling into place at last, and I began my role with PWB shortly after returning from study abroad in South Africa.

Finally, a Virtual Internship

Photographers Without Borders is a small and growing nonprofit organization focused on collaboration rather than hierarchy, run by dedicated staff and volunteer members. The PWB motto is “We are more than photographers.” To date, PWB has facilitated over 125 Assignments in 54 countries, addressing all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals/UNDRIP, creating tangible change around the globe.

Specifically, some project success highlights include: conserving 10 hectares of rainforest in Sumatra, supporting reforestation efforts by planting hundreds of trees, sending several equity-seeking girls to school in India, helping human trafficking survivors in Kenya, and assisting with establishing a marine-protected area in Mozambique. Another initiative of PWB is Storytelling School, which are education programs that include courses on ethical storytelling, conservation and outdoor storytelling, and an introduction to video documentary. These courses aim to teach and train individuals with a practical look into storytelling through a decolonized lens and offer tools to create impactful ethical visual storytelling.

Once a member of PWB is chosen for an Assignment, their status changes to Associate. Our Associates participate in the Storytelling School courses to acquire the proper ethical insight to relay the message(s) of the projects the CP desires to further. These collaborations increase accessibility for visual storytelling to make positive and impactful change through a decolonial and anti-oppressive lens. PWB does not charge the CP for our, or our Associates’ work. Rather, Associates are responsible for fundraising the money to cover the costs involved with program fees like flights, food, accommodations, and other logistics during time on-Assignment.

A regular week involved coordinating communications, holding and facilitating meetings, and planning travel logistics with CPs and the Associate. The CP, Associate, and I would generally meet once a month for six months leading up to a project. That timeline allowed us to plan what would be documented and set up discussions with stakeholders and community members involved in the projects. We also talked about the creation of photos and photo styles that offer the most impact. Also, how to deliver meaning and make an impression through the images obtained on Assignments.

Through the internship, I cultivated a great deal of knowledge and competence working with international nonprofits, NGOs, and conservation groups while learning about their initiatives and documenting them. I have discovered my ability to act as a liaison between people, bridging borders and creating relationships. I found a professional yet friendly interpersonal communication style and made relationships I plan to keep close into the future.

Coincidentally, two nonprofit organizations I worked with in South Africa are deciding to become involved with PWB and become CPs. I feel proud to bring together quality teams of friends from various locations globally that can be assets to each other, furthering each other’s causes and goals through partnership and creativity. It was gratifying being a part of a team that helps photographers and NGOs grow and expand important initiatives, shedding light on global issues while applying concepts and theories of community and resource access.

I really enjoyed my position with PWB. Completing a project during my internship with PWB felt rewarding to know I facilitated a successful outcome for everyone involved. We are currently waiting for the story to run, but once it is released, I will update this with a link to see the outcome. After the internship was completeI continued working with PWB, mainly because working with the groups and people I met has been considerably fulfilling.

With Gilman Support, I Reached My Goals

When I embarked on this journey to study abroad and earn a scholarship for myself, I had no idea it would take me this far; Hawaii to South Africa, Canada, and across the world virtually. Inadvertently, the ups and downs brought me to the path meant for me, albeit with timing that would decide its own pace.

I am continually grateful to the Benajmin A. Gilman Scholarship for their commitment to stand by me during one of the most challenging events we will experience in our lifetime. When everything else in the world was shutting down, Gilman helped me and hundreds of other students realize our goals and backed us with confidence that we would persevere. When I doubted I would succeed, the team at Gilman reminded me what I was capable of, pushed me to try all resources available, and not give up. Perhaps they saw the same future I dreamed of for so long and envisioned it for me, too.

It feels good to know that through my challenges trying to make my goals and dreams happen, I have brought others together who can empower each other to keep doing good in their communities. Through the rollercoaster of finding the right program, I found an unexpected gift in discovering patience and trusting the right opportunity would come along. When you put your mind to something and work hard for it, things fall into place.

I have also learned through this experience that asking for help to reach your goals is crucial. Knowing what you want for yourself and being open and vulnerable enough to speak about it with people who can help you get there is the difference between thinking about it and making it happen. Without the help from Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the amazing people who decided to support me, and a few incredible organizations, I would not have been able to earn the scholarship, travel for study abroad, and ultimately graduate with my hard-earned degree.

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