Two Ohio State students, Katherine Oriyo and Hoda Mohamed, have been awarded a prestigious Gilman International Scholarship.

Oriyo and Mohamed are two of nearly 900 American undergraduate students from over 300 colleges and universities across the United States selected to receive this scholarship to study or intern abroad or virtually through the end of 2021.

Katherine Oriyo, a junior majoring in forestry, fisheries and wildlife, plans to study abroad on the Australia: Human Impacts on the Natural Environment program.

“The honor of receiving a Gilman Scholarship alleviates the financial burden and will be a great boon for my future abroad program,” Oriyo said. “The pandemic has created an uncertain time for travel program funding, so I am grateful that I will still be able to participate in an abroad experience that will aid me in my progress towards my career goals and enhance my global perspective. This unique experience will further my knowledge of international environmental issues, and I plan on bringing my abroad experiences home to share with my peers.”

Mohamed, junior biology major and international studies minor, plans to participate on an exchange program with Yonsei University in Korea.

"I am thrilled to be a Gilman scholar and represent both The Ohio State University and the United States during my student abroad trip to Asia," Mohamed said. "I feel fortunate to be the recipient of this scholarship, and it will help lessen the impact of my tuition cost for this trip. The scholarship has helped me get closer to my goal, and during my trip, I expect to gain much cultural awareness and positive experiences. So, with my return, I can use those events to promote studying abroad for future students. Furthermore, receiving this award has helped me see the importance of philanthropy and generosity. Therefore, in the future, I would like to give back and pay it forward when I am financially able to do so."

Given the disruption of the pandemic, the Gilman Program is offering flexibility to participants whose plans may be impacted. The Gilman Program will support students who are unable to start their programs abroad in their original destination or in the original timeframe by helping to identify alternative program options, by permitting students to defer to a program through the end of 2021, or by supporting participation in a virtual study abroad program.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their education abroad program costs with additional funding available for the study of critical languages overseas.

To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship, visit oia.osu.edu.