May 5, 2025

Seventeen Drexel undergraduate students will receive funding to study abroad thanks to Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships awarded in Spring 2025. This is the largest group of Drexel recipients in a single Gilman cycle! These students will be studying in Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Costa Rica, Ireland, and Spain over the next year. We're so proud of all of our recipients, and can't wait to see their adventures abroad.

Sajda Adam
psychology ’26
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Sajda is a psychology and brain sciences major at Drexel University, with minors in neuroscience and biology. Through the support of the Gilman Scholarship, she will be studying abroad in South Korea to gain international experience and broaden her understanding of neuroscience in a global context. Her research background spans neuropsychology, digital pathology, and antibody discovery, with work conducted at Drexel University, Mayo Clinic, and different pharmaceutical companies. Sajda has presented her findings at several national and international conferences, focusing on topics such as HIV-associated cognitive decline and bias in AI-driven diagnostics. As president of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, she is committed to mentorship and health equity. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine that bridges research with culturally competent patient care.

Sajda has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and as a 2022 STAR Scholar, 2022-23 Aspire Scholar, and an Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant recipient.

Boris Bespartochnyy
computer science ’28
Gilman Scholar to Japan

Boris is a computer science major at Drexel University with a strong interest in the intersection of art and technology. From a young age, he’s been deeply inspired by the Japanese entertainment industry’s dedication to music, artwork, and storytelling. These creative expressions have shaped his passion and career goals. His experience as a principal clarinetist in a citywide orchestra (Philadelphia All-City High School Orchestra) further deepened his appreciation for the discipline and care behind masterfully crafted art. Boris’ academic path reflects a desire to blend technical skill with artistic vision, and he’s currently pursuing opportunities that bring these disciplines together. Studying abroad at Akita International University allows him to take meaningful steps toward contributing to the Japanese entertainment industry by immersing himself in Japanese language and culture. It has long been a dream of his to engage in cultural exchange in Japan, and he is honored to receive aid through the Gilman Scholarship.

Sienna Cushing
political science ’27
Gilman Scholar to Ireland

Sienna is a political science major with a minor in law, and is working toward a Bachelor of Arts at Drexel University. She plans to attend law school after completing her undergraduate studies to deepen her understanding of the legal system and its role in shaping society. After practicing law for some time, she hopes to transition into politics, where she can advocate for meaningful change and serve the public. She is especially interested in diplomacy and international relations, and aspires to represent American interests on a global scale. Through her academic work and extracurricular involvement, she is developing strong skills in legal analysis, public speaking, and cross-cultural communication to prepare for a future in both law and public service.

Hala Idrees
fashion industry and merchandising ’26
Gilman Scholar to Spain

Hala is a current junior fashion industry and merchandising major with a marketing minor. She is working towards creative endeavors around brand marketing, storytelling, strategic communications, and global advertising efforts. Hala is looking to find sustainable and creative solutions for ethical issues in the fashion space, and is currently a Brand Marketing co-op at Nuuly.

Jacqueline Lara
BS architectural studies ’24, architecture ’26
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Jacqueline "Jackie" Magali Lara is a first-generation Philly-born Mexican American student at Drexel's 2+4 Architecture Program. As a 2024 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, they are expected to graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2026.

Jackie was the winner of the 2024 Architectural Studies Capstone Award for her work in researching "Community Resilience to Changing Environments in South Philadelphia's Mexican Neighborhood." Her passion for community-driven design and accessible design expanded further than academically. She contributed to the design of a playful learning playground in Jay Cooke Elementary, located in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia. Her dedication to supporting first-generation minority students has gotten her the 2022 Westphal BRIDGE Moxie Award for exceptional contributions and service to the BRIDGE community.

Jackie has gained two years of experience at Farragut Street Architects, a women-led Philadelphia firm, as she works toward architectural licensure. She aims to bring publicly accessible design to underserved communities with limited resources through connections with the surrounding communities. Jacqueline intends to use the Gilman Scholarship for the 2025 Fall Break in South Korea ICA.

Katie Le
computer science ’28
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Katie is a passionate individual committed to developing innovative medical solutions for underserved communities. Her early experiences with medical technologies sparked a deep interest in healthcare innovation and inspired a lifelong mission to create meaningful change. Currently a second-year Liberty Scholar and Honors student studying computer science, Katie has demonstrated academic excellence and gained hands-on experience through internships at Accenture and QuotaPath, where she explored the intersections of venture capital and software engineering.

Katie’s next chapter takes her to Seoul National University, where she plans to learn about global healthcare systems and deepen her understanding in technological innovation. Guided by the belief that enhancing the quality of life is just as important as saving it, she hopes to use her experiences to expand access to compassionate, effective care for all.

Sabrina Ngo
accounting ’27
Gilman Scholar to Italy

Sabrina is currently a third year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with an expected graduation in 2027. She has completed two co-ops focused in tax and plans on pursuing the CPA after graduation to build a career that serves underserved communities, particularly in Philadelphia. She has also contributed to her family’s small business, which sparked her interest in helping local entrepreneurs navigate financial systems. Sabrina is committed to combining technical expertise with a global mindset to push forward equitable access to financial resources.

Christine Nguyen
management information systems & business analytics ’27
Gilman Scholar to Singapore

As a first-generation undergrad, Christine is majoring in management information systems and business analytics with a minor in security technology. Born and raised in Philly, she enjoys exploring restaurants around Rittenhouse Square, playing volleyball with her friends, and consulting for startups from the Baiada Institute. In order to set herself apart from her peers pursuing consulting careers, Christine plans to study business at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and join clubs to make connections with fellow peers. She hopes to leverage the resources provided by NTU and utilize her skills to help businesses solve problems and improve operations with expert advice and guidance.

Christine is a Student Ambassador at Drexel, where she helps prospective students understand what Drexel is about and what they offer as an undergrad. She is actively involved with DSAB, LeBow BRIDGE, and the Pennoni Honors Program. She was the former president of the Vietnamese Student Association 24-25. 
She will have the chance to fulfill her dream of studying abroad in Singapore during her first year thanks to the Gilman Scholarship. 

Kfir Peri
software engineering ’27
Gilman Scholar to Italy

Kfir is a third-year student majoring in software engineering with a passion for innovation and technology. He was born in Israel and moved to the U.S. at a young age, where he has met so many amazing people who’ve helped him grow both personally and professionally. He has always been curious about the world beyond his own, and has told himself for years that he’d explore it. He feels a real connection to Italian culture and can’t wait to be immersed in it, while also meeting people from all over the world, expanding his circle, and gaining new experiences along the way.

Sarah Sikder
health sciences ’26
Gilman Scholar to Costa Rica

Sarah Sikder is an honors health sciences student with a minor in biological sciences. She is on the pre-med track and has been involved in research across cognitive neuroscience and cellular aging in Dr. Tompary’s Memory and Concepts Lab and Dr. Smith’s lab. She also supports multiple clinical research studies in the Orthopedic Surgery Division at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, focusing on pediatric sports medicine. Through the Gilman Scholarship, she will study abroad in Costa Rica as part of the Healthcare in Latin America Program. As a Bengali first-generation student, Sarah looks forward to learning about equitable and accessible community-based healthcare systems and gaining insights that will shape her future work as a physician. Her passion for medicine is rooted in lived experiences navigating health disparities within underserved and immigrant communities, and she hopes to bridge those gaps through culturally responsive care.

In addition to her involvement in the Honors Program, Sarah has also engaged with the Pennoni Honors College as an Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant recipient.

Tim Sol
mechanical engineering ’27
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Tim is a first-generation college student at Drexel University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has an interest in aerospace and mechanical design. Tim is excited to have been awarded the Gilman Scholarship, which will allow him to study at Yonsei University during the upcoming Fall 2025 semester. He is eager to immerse himself in the rich culture that Seoul has to offer.

Lena Tran
finance ’26
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Lena Tran is a junior studying finance, set to graduate in Spring 2026. She is truly honored to have received the prestigious Gilman Scholarship to study abroad. In Fall 2025, Lena will be attending Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea, to pursue business studies. This opportunity represents a significant milestone in her academic journey. As a first-generation Asian college student, studying abroad is not only a personal dream but a meaningful step for her family and community. She is excited to immerse herself in a new culture and expand her global perspectives in the field of finance. She looks forward to making the most of this experience both academically and personally.

Kyle Vong
computer science ’27
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Kyle is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in data science at Drexel University. Born and raised in South Philadelphia to Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant parents, he grew up navigating a blend of cultures and developed a deep appreciation for community, resilience, and opportunity. Kyle sees technology as a tool for innovation, a bridge for solving real-world challenges, and a catalyst for creating meaningful change across communities. He has gained experience building software and data solutions at startups and will be interning at Capital One as a Software Engineer, with aspirations of working in Big Tech. Outside of academics, he enjoys participating in hackathons, playing basketball, and maintaining an active lifestyle. With support from the Gilman Scholarship, Kyle is excited to study at Seoul National University in Fall 2025, where he will broaden his global perspective and deepen his growth as a developer and changemaker.

Bernice Yu
management information systems ’28
Gilman Scholar to Singapore

Bernice Yu is a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management information systems with a minor in data science. Passionate about connecting technological advancements with business innovation, she is preparing to study at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where she will deepen her expertise in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. Through NTU’s advanced technology labs, speaker events, and workshops, Bernice seeks to gain hands-on experience and a global perspective to develop innovative solutions for business challenges in a rapidly evolving digital world. With the support of the Gilman Scholarship, she is committed to building a career at the intersection of technology and business strategy.

Samiha Zarin
computer science ’27
Gilman Scholar to Ireland

Samiha Zarin is a current pre-junior majoring in computer science and minoring in linguistics. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of language and technology, with a focus on natural language processing and historical linguistics. She is passionate about language preservation and bridging cultural and communicative gaps in society. Her future goals include working in the tech field to close these gaps, and further study in NLP/linguistics.

Samiha has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College as a 2023 STAR Scholar.

*This announcement does not include recipients who declined publicity.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, backgrounds, and types of institutions. Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs, and can also apply for additional funding through the Gilman Critical Need Language Award or the Gilman STEM Supplemental Award.

Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 44,000 Gilman Scholars have studied or interned in more than 170 countries around the world.

If you are interested in applying for this award, please email us at fellowships@drexel.edu for information about advising and resources.