Diana Balaj ’19 Gains Gilman Scholarship to Study Abroad
An international studies major with a concentration in global issues and a minor in Spanish, Balaj will travel to Spain this summer.
Diana Balaj ’19 has received a Benjamin A. Gilman international scholarship, which enables her to travel to Malaga, Spain, this summer as part of a Manhattan College study abroad program. Balaj is the second Manhattan College student in two years to earn a Gilman scholarship.
An international studies major, Balaj is one of approximately 1,200 American undergraduate students from 354 colleges and universities across the country to receive the Gilman scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. The program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or internships abroad. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply.
In addition to her major in international studies, Balaj is pursuing a concentration in global issues and a minor in Spanish. She is a member of JustPeace and has written for Odyssey at Manhattan College.