Written by Jennifer Marangos | September 24, 2024 | SHARE
Dina Gofman, ‘25
IDEAS
Gilman Scholarship - Madrid, Spain
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) enables eligible undergraduates to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. Gofman applied for this highly competitive opportunity with the support of the Lehigh’s Office of Fellowship Advising. Here’s what Gofman had to say about her semester taking classes in Madrid, Spain.
What was most surprising about going abroad?
I was surprised at how quickly Madrid started to feel like home, rather than just a place I traveled to.
Can you tell us about some of the places you have visited?
One of my favorite places was Switzerland. I have never seen such a beautiful landscape. I loved being in the mountains and seeing the nature around me. I also saw so many cows. It felt straight out of a storybook. I also loved visiting Prague and seeing the Prague castle.
What was your favorite local dish?
Tapas, or small plates, are really common in Spain. They are all very different, ranging from fried potatoes to seafood. My favorite was tortilla Espaniola, which is an omelet usually made with potatoes and onions.
What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew before you left?
Don’t overpack!! You will definitely end up buying clothes, souvenirs, and other things while you are abroad that you will want to bring home!
Where would you like to travel next?
South America so that I could keep practicing Spanish.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone about to apply for a Gilman Scholarship, what would it be?
My top piece of advice would be to focus on demonstrating how your study abroad experience will impact your long-term goals and benefit your community. When writing your application, be specific about how the skills and experiences you will gain abroad will impact your academic and career path, as well as the people around you.