Two State University of New York at Fredonia students have been awarded 2019 Gilman Scholarships to support study abroad experiences during the spring and summer semesters.

Nelson Clark of Buffalo, a Middle Childhood Education Math Specialist with a minor in Music, will be participating in a music production internship in Cape Town, South Africa, through SUNY Cortland. He noted a desire to “build a bridge between genres within the United States and South Africa,” adding, “My experience in Cape Town will create a new perspective on music production for me.”

Sydney Lyons of Java, N.Y., an Interdisciplinary Studies major concentrating on Advocacy for Refugees and Domestic Tranquility, with a Psychology minor, will participate in a study abroad program at the Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo in Guayaquil, Ecuador, through SUNY New Paltz. She will be living with a host family and taking Spanish classes, adding, “I really want to push myself out of my comfort zone… I want to improve my language skills, considering where my career will take me.” Ms. Lyons also looks forward to exploring the country.

The Gilman Scholarship is a nationwide grant program that allows undergraduate students who require financial support and are recipients of a Pell grant to study in other countries.

Seventeen Fredonia students have received Gilman grants, totaling more than $50,000, since 2015. Scholarships awarded to Lyons and Clark are between $1,500 and $3,000.