Two Susquehanna University students were awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, supporting their study-abroad experiences in Europe.
Susquehanna’s Gilman scholars receiving up to $5,000 are:
- Kijani English ’28, a neuroscience and German studies double major from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who will study at Philipps-Universität in Marburg, Germany.
- Ezabella Piccione ’28, a luxury brand marketing & management and advertising & public relations double major from Boyertown, Pennsylvania, who will study in Milan, Italy.
While in Germany, English will examine healthcare and social support structures through both a scientific and cultural lens while strengthening her German language proficiency. She plans to pursue a career in psychiatry because she wants to advocate for more accessible mental health resources and encourage students from backgrounds like mine to pursue opportunities they might feel like aren’t available to them.
“Through personal experience, I understand that disadvantaged and foster youth often face barriers not only to educational opportunities, but also to long-term stability and consistent healthcare access,” English said. “By developing a more global understanding of healthcare and exploring how culture and policy often shape the mental health outcomes within a population, I hope to become a well-rounded psychiatrist that challenges assumptions about what effective mental health support can look like.”
Piccione will study subjects related to business, economics and Italian culture.
“I am especially excited to expand my global perspective by learning how international environments influence communication, business practices and cultural understanding,” Piccione said.
She plans to embark upon a career in luxury marketing within a global or internationally connected organization, with the possibility of pursuing graduate studies in business or communications.
“I hope this experience strengthens my communication skills, adaptability and global awareness, all of which are important in today’s professional world,” Piccione said. “Being immersed in another culture will help me become more confident working with diverse groups of people and navigating unfamiliar environments.”
The Gilman Scholarship is a merit-based program funded by Congress that supports American undergraduates in gaining skills vital to the nation’s security and economic strength through immersive experiences with other languages and cultures. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals and recipients of a Pell Grant, a federal need-based aid program.
