Students win national study abroad scholarships

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Four people standing closely together indoors at an event or gathering space with others in the background. The person on the left wears a black graphic t-shirt with a bag strap across their chest. The second person wears a black t-shirt and makes a peace sign. The third person wears a brown t-shirt with an arm around the second person. The fourth person wears a patterned dress and holds a yellow bag over their shoulder. — Third from left: Lauren Burt

Person wearing a black t-shirt with white text and graphics, brown pants and a watch on the left wrist standing in front of a large illuminated arch with colorful abstract artwork on its underside at night with building and tree lights in the background. — Blake McAskill in Olympic Park in Seoul, Korea

Oklahoma State University art and engineering scholars will enhance their educations with study abroad experiences in South Korea this semester. They have received nationally competitive scholarships to pay for their stays.

Ashley Burt, a studio art sophomore from Stillwater, won the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The $2,000 award was given to 420 outstanding American undergraduate students from more than 230 colleges and universities throughout the United States for study during the 2007-08 academic year. Burt will spend the year at

Through the OSU reciprocal exchange program, Ewha Womans University is in Seoul, Korea.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $8,000 to apply for the study abroad program's costs. Applications for spring 2008 study abroad scholarships are due Oct. 9, 2007. Students receiving a federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions are encouraged to apply.

Blake McAskill, a civil and environmental engineering senior from Altus, received a $5,000 Freeman-ASIA Scholarship. Through the OSU reciprocal exchange program, he will attend Yonsei University in Seoul this fall and plans to pursue studies in engineering and Korean language and culture.

The Freeman-ASIA (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) program is designed to support American undergraduates who have demonstrated financial need and are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The program offers scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 for study during summer, semester and academic year programs. Deadline for spring semester programs is October 17.

The Gilman and Freeman-ASIA scholarships are administered by the Institute of International Education and coordinated at OSU by the Study Abroad Office.