Who are the Gilman Alumni Ambassadors?
Alumni Ambassadors serve as official representatives of the U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Approximately 25 Gilman alumni from across the United States are selected each year to be Ambassadors and serve a one-year term. Learn about our current and former Alumni Ambassadors here.
What do Gilman Alumni Ambassadors do?
Alumni Ambassadors represent the Gilman Program to various audiences, including prospective applicants, college/university staff, and the general public. Alumni Ambassadors also build a sense of community among Gilman Alumni in their region and nationally through in-person and virtual engagement. Past Alumni Ambassadors have organized informational presentations at colleges and universities across the United States, participated in information sessions for applicants on Zoom or Instagram, organized Alumni Virtual Networking Hours, mentored new Gilman Scholars, and contributed written content about study abroad topics.
What are the Gilman Alumni Ambassador time commitments?
Alumni Ambassadors should expect to spend approximately 3-5 hours per month on Alumni Ambassador activities. Activities will be in-person or virtual depending on current needs and circumstances. Activities include informational presentations, webinars that occur Monday-Friday during the business day, conferences, and other special events. Alumni Ambassadors are expected to attend a 1-hour virtual monthly check-in meeting with the Gilman team and other Ambassadors starting in August 2023 and ending in June 2024. Alumni Ambassadors will receive training in July 2023 and be provided opportunities for ongoing professional development throughout the year. Applicants should carefully consider their availability during the workweek and how they will balance their role as an Alumni Ambassador with their schedule.
Alumni Ambassadors will receive a $500 honorarium for their participation, pending completion of their Alumni Ambassador responsibilities.
Who is eligible to be an Alumni Ambassador? - Applicants must have completed their study or internship abroad program (virtual or in-person).
- Applicants must have completed their Follow-on Service Project and submitted their report. *This requirement is waived if you have returned from your study/internship abroad program within the past six months or have a valid extension.*
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants must be living in the United States between July 2023-July 2024.
- Applicants must be available to participate in the in-person training and advocacy visits in Washington, D.C. from July 17-19, 2023. The training is anticipated to be from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day. (Selected applicants will receive details about travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, and meals.) Participating in all elements of the live training is essential and required.
What should I prepare?
As part of the application, applicants will answer two essay questions and upload a video (2 minutes maximum).- Question 1: Why are you interested in being a Gilman Alumni Ambassador?
- Question 2: What else about your background or identity provides a unique perspective? Tell us about a significant aspect of your background or identity as a Gilman alumni, how did it provide a unique perspective while studying/interning abroad?
- Video: Please describe how your experience studying or interning abroad, or participating in a virtual program, impacted your academic and career trajectory.
Want to learn more?
Join our Gilman Alumni Ambassador Application Q&A webinar on Tuesday, April 18 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Register here. |
