Senior English major Briarra Barnes received the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and traveled to the Netherlands to participate in a three-week study abroad program on environmental literature.

UD’s newest Gilman Scholar

Article by Grace Kearns Photos courtesy of Briarra Barnes and Elizabeth Manning February 07, 2025

First-generation college student Briarra Barnes earns prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in the Netherlands

After receiving this year’s Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, University of Delaware senior Briarra Barnes traveled to the Netherlands to participate in a three-week study abroad program on environmental literature. As an English major and first-generation college student, the funds provided by the scholarship were crucial to making this dream a reality.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Gilman Program offers scholarships to exceptional undergraduate students who plan to study or intern around the world. Since 2001, the Gilman Scholarship Program has awarded over 44,000 scholarships to Pell-eligible students who may not otherwise study abroad due to financial constraints. With this mission, the Gilman program continues to expand the population of students who take advantage of international learning experiences.

This year, the Gilman Scholarship Program supported 1,600 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. With this funding, the 2025 Gilman cohort will travel to more than 90 countries in the upcoming year.

For senior Briarra Barnes, the Netherlands was the clear choice for her first study abroad destination. The program, led by adjunct professor Lisa Dill, was not only compatible with Barnes’ academic plan as an English major, but also with her interest in environmental justice.

“I chose this program because studying abroad in a country that makes environmental justice and climate change efforts a main priority will expand my knowledge and improve my ability as a writer to articulate this topic to my audiences and community,” Barnes said.

During the 2025 Winter Session, Barnes and her classmates had the opportunity to explore three major cities in the Netherlands: Arnhem, Leeuwarden and Amsterdam. In addition, they journeyed through the country’s most scenic national parks, including the Hogue Veluwe, Veluwezoom and Zuid-Kennemerland National Parks.

During the Winter Session program led by adjunct professor Lisa Dill, Briarra Barnes and her cohort explored scenic national parks throughout the country while studying the nation’s response to climate change and rising sea levels.

To prepare for each expedition, Barnes’ cohort studied nonfiction texts focusing on climate change in the United States and the Netherlands. Beyond the classroom, they had valuable interactions with national park research scientists and organic farmers about environmental management and sustainability.

Although visiting the Netherlands’ countless national parks was at the top of Barnes’ travel bucket list, participating in a UD Study Abroad program has long been at the top of her personal bucket list.

“I've always known that I wanted to study abroad,” Barnes said. “I grew up in a single parent household, so I rarely traveled as a child, but I've always known the importance of having an open and understanding perspective of other cultures, languages and traditions.”

Studying abroad has always been a goal for Barnes. During her senior year, she was finally able to achieve this goal, while pursuing her passion for environmental justice in the Netherlands.

By receiving this prestigious scholarship, Barnes was able to develop this global perspective by immersing herself in the country’s culture for three weeks. While the purpose of the Gilman Scholarship is to make study abroad possible for students of limited financial means, the program also aims to support first-generation college students.

“As a first-generation college student, I've had a long journey full of failures, trial and error with many lessons learned,” Barnes said. “But being able to have this amazing opportunity to finally study abroad, which is something I've been working so hard for, makes it all worth it.”

As Barnes returns to campus to begin her final semester at UD, she shares that, in the future, she plans to support fellow first generation students and help them achieve their goals.

“I am a huge advocate for first-generation students,” Barnes said. “Having support and guidance from the Gilman Scholarship Program will certainly provide opportunities and connections, which will help me be my best self for my mentees, who are also first-generation students.”

Applications for upcoming Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships are due on Thursday, March 6. Eligible programs include Summer 2025 and the 2025-26 academic year.

To learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships, join the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) for the Gilman Scholarship Overview webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. and a Gilman Scholarship Strategy and Tips webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m., both on Zoom. Additional information can be found on the CGPS government scholarships for study abroad webpage.

About the Center for Global Programs and Services

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD.