Accountancy student awarded prestigious study abroad scholarship

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University junior Maddie Cordell of LaGrange Park, Illinois, has been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to less than 1,000 undergraduate students nationally.

Cordell will use her scholarship money to study in Italy through the CIMBA program this fall.

The Gilman Program offers scholarships for U.S. citizen undergraduate students to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad. Many of the recipients are the first in their family to study abroad and may not have been able to pursue the experience without the support of the Gilman grant.

"This will be my first time outside of the United States," says Cordell. "I was initially drawn to study abroad by my desire to travel, but what ultimately convinced me to commit was the opportunity to push myself. I hope that studying abroad will provide me with the chance to build many new relationships, gain knowledge and grow as an individual."

Cordell plans to graduate in spring 2020 and immediately begin her Master's of Science degree in accountancy with hopes to become a certified public accountant, securing a position at a large accounting firm in the Chicago area.

"Studying internationally is so important because it gives students the opportunity to broaden their perspectives while learning more about themselves," says Cordell. "As a business student, I highly value the chance to gain a better understanding of the world, while also discovering my true self and the direction I want to take after graduation."

WMU offers application advising for students who would like to apply for a Gilman International Scholarship.

For more information, learn about WMU's study abroad programs and services or call (269) 387-5890.

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