(Posted August 10, 2015)

Anvy Tran, a junior from Boston, Mass., is pictured here working at a local food bank.
Anvy Tran, a junior from Boston, Mass., is pictured here working at a local food bank.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Anvy Tran, a junior at Juniata College from Boston, Mass., studying writing and politics, will study abroad at the Universidad de Guanajuato, in Guanajuato, Mexico for the entire 2015-2016 academic year after receiving the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Tran, the daughter of Nghiem and Yen Tran, both of Boston, received the Gilman Scholarship in June. She is a 2012 graduate of Boston Latin School.

The Gilman Scholarships, named for Benjamin Gilman, a Republican U.S. Representative from New York, offer grants for undergraduate students of limited financial means to study abroad. More than 1,200 scholarships of up to $5,000 were awarded this academic year. The program also encourages students to choose non-traditional destinations for their study-abroad experience.

The program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.

"My Spanish professors at Juniata greatly emphasized the impact that studying abroad would have on my academic and personal goal of achieving fluency," Tran says. "Through their support both inside and outside the classroom, I believe that I can take on the challenges that I will face in Mexico."

"My Spanish professors at Juniata greatly emphasized the impact that studying abroad would have on my academic and personal goal of achieving fluency."

Anvy Tran, junior, Boston , Mass.

Before coming to Juniata s a freshman, Tran spent a "gap year" to work in Otavalo, Ecuador. She worked at Jirugta Ucinqui, a social services organization that supports indigenous communities in that area. While in Otovalo, she started an afterschool tutoring program to teach or tutor high school students in English.

She is active at Juniata, participating in the Women's Rugby Club, where she served as secrretary for the 2014-2015 academic year. She also lives in La Casa Hispanica, an internationally themed residence.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.