Annandale Student Jose Alvarez Awarded 2021 Gilman Scholarship

Jose Alvarez, a student at the NOVA-Annandale Campus, has been selected as a 2021 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient, which will allow him to study abroad during the summer 2021 session. According to IIE (the Institute for International Education), less than 3% of community college students have the chance to study abroad, compared to the 16% of university students who get this opportunity. The Gilman Scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and supports a broader sector of undergraduates, providing an opportunity to study overseas for those with limited resources.

Alvarez’s program will take him to Japan during summer 2021, where he will participate in an internship focusing on international business and continuing his journey to attain fluency in the Japanese language. His country of choice is not random: in 2013, he joined the U.S. Navy with the hope of getting stationed in Japan. Fate intervened, as he was the only person from his cohort stationed in Japan. After leaving the Navy, he enrolled at NOVA to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts with a focus on communications, continuing his studies in the Japanese language. 

A first-generation college student, Alvarez hopes to transfer to George Mason University upon graduation in spring 2022. His long-term goal is to continue serving his country, this time, as a diplomat. The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad. His experience in Japan will provide much needed experience to support his future goals.

“When I decided to apply for the Gilman scholarship, I was dreaming big,” Alvarez said. “To me, this scholarship is a steppingstone toward a career in the Foreign Service. My hands-on experience abroad will be indispensable to me as a diplomat. NOVA students can rest assured that studying abroad is possible and can open so many doors, no matter the career field.”

Already a student ambassador at NOVA, upon returning, Alvarez hopes to share his experience with the broader NOVA student community to encourage others to pursue similar experiences. His fluency in social media platforms including YouTube, will allow him to share his experiences virtually.  

Mr. Alvarez worked closely with NOVA’s Office of International Education & Sponsored Programs to select the program, submit the scholarship materials and to receive guidance through the application process. Any NOVA student has the potential to study abroad and to gain international academic experience, allowing them to be competitive with their university counterparts in the ever evolving and globalized job market. NOVA’s Office of International Education & Sponsored Programs is dedicated to guiding students in their study abroad experiences. 

The Gilman Scholarship targets students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad, including but not limited to first-generation college students, students in STEM fields, ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, students attending HBCUs or other minority-serving institutions and students attending community colleges.

To learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship (www.gilmanscholarship.org) and other international opportunities, contact Leeza Fernand, associate director, Office of International Education & Sponsored Programs. The next Gilman Scholarship application deadline is coming up! Apply by March 2, 2021!

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven challenging for study abroad. While NOVA programs are still on hold for summer 2021, there are many independent in-person and virtual study abroad opportunities available for fall 2021.