HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 10, 2016 – High Point University sophomore Caroline Cunningham is the recipient of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a federal awards program for students who study abroad. Cunningham, a Frankfort, Kentucky, native and communication major studying electronic media, will use the scholarship to study in England this fall.

The scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, aims to diversify the students who study abroad and the regions they study in.

“I am extremely honored to be the recipient of this prestigious scholarship,” says Cunningham. “Studying abroad has been something I have desired since I first began thinking about life after high school, and to see these desires turn into a reality is incredibly exciting and motivating.”

Cunningham is one of about 850 American undergraduates from 324 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected for the scholarship. She will use the $5,000 scholarship to study at the University of Winchester in England this fall. She also hopes to study abroad in Australia in spring 2017.

“We were extremely excited to find out that Caroline has received this award,” says Heidi Fischer, director of study abroad at HPU. “She is the second HPU student to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and is so deserving of the honor. It is rare that students choose to study abroad for two semesters, and Caroline is incredibly brave and inspiring for doing so.”

“I am looking forward to taking on all of the challenges that studying abroad may present,” says Cunningham. “I also cannot wait for all of the memories and opportunities that the University of Winchester will provide.”