WKU News

Brooke Larson, a junior from Cookeville, Tennessee, is one of 19 WKU students who earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The award offers funding for eligible students to study abroad, who may not have been able to afford it otherwise.

Larson, majoring in Special/Elementary Education and minoring in Teaching English as a Second Language, is set to study abroad in Ireland this summer. She discovered her passion for teaching language during her time at WKU.

“Western not only had the perfect program I was looking for, but I knew as soon as I toured that I wanted to go here,” Larson said. “After taking LTCY 320 my sophomore year, I realized just how interested I was in literacy and how students come to learn and use language.”

Studying abroad has been a long-time goal of Larson’s, and she hopes her time in Ireland can help expand her impact as a teacher.

“With the help of the Gilman, chasing my dream of studying abroad is now a realistic opportunity that is happening,” Larson said. “I hope to gain world knowledge and experiences that can help better my future students' and my global views.”

Larson cites WKU's Office of Scholar Development as an important factor in her success winning the Gilman award. Additionally, she advises that as long as the necessary work is put in, anyone can study abroad. 

“No matter your background, studying abroad is more within reach than one would originally think,” Larson said. “Anyone who is wanting to study abroad should go for it and fight for their dreams.”