UM-Flint's Karlichek receives US Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State has awarded Breanna Karlichek, a junior English major from Flushing, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The prestigious scholarship is designed to support American undergraduate students eligible for Pell grants to study or intern abroad. Karlichek will study at The American College of Greece during the winter 2026 semester.

"I knew I wanted to study abroad, but I would need financial support to make it happen," Karlichek said. "When Kristen Canavan at the Center for Global Engagement told me about the Gilman Scholarship, I applied immediately. When I learned that I was selected — and how many people had applied — I was shocked. It is truly an honor."

More than 70% of selected Gilman scholars are from rural areas and small towns throughout the U.S., and 55% are first-generation college students. The Gilman program received a record high 17,000 applications during the 2024-25 academic year, which equates to a less than 20% acceptance rate.

"CGE's mission is to make international education accessible for students and is the one-stop shop for all things study abroad," said Canavan, CGE education abroad coordinator. "One of our many services is advising students on U.S. Department of State study abroad scholarships. More than 75% of UM-Flint students who study abroad are Pell-eligible and therefore qualify for the Gilman Scholarship; yet, few students apply. I am hopeful that students will see Breanna as an example of what is possible with a little bit of planning and effort."

According to Karlichek, the application process was pretty straightforward. "I had to answer three essay questions about why I wanted to study abroad, how I would represent the U.S. while in another country and what kind of project I would do after I returned to raise awareness about the program," she said. "You can apply two times in one year — so if you don't get selected in the first cycle, you can refine your answers and then apply again. I encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity."

 Gilman scholars are selected not only for how well they will represent the U.S. abroad, but also for the impact they will have on their communities when they return. Scholars build global networks and develop foreign language skills necessary to support U.S. economic and national security interests.

"I chose the program in Greece because it has a lot of different courses that will offer me new perspectives, which I think will complement what I'm learning at UM-Flint," said Karlichek. "It will be my first time traveling outside the country, and I'm excited to experience how people abroad live, work and study."

"As a U.S. Department of State study abroad scholarship awardee myself, I am proud to advise UM-Flint students each year on these study abroad scholarship applications and to serve as an evaluator for both the Benjamin A. Gilman and Critical Language Scholarship programs," Canavan said. "I am incredibly proud of Breanna and look forward to hearing all about her experience abroad once she returns in summer 2026."

The next Gilman scholar application cycle will launch in August 2025.  

To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship, visit gilmanscholarship.org or contact UM-Flint's Center for Global Engagement.