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AMHERST, N.Y. – ������Ƶ College student Jessica Vongxay, a physical therapy major, has been selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad this summer in China.

Vongxay is one of more than 1,150 undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the U.S. chosen to receive a Gilman Scholarship. The program aims to diversify students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they study to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies.

The $5,000 international scholarship will enable Vongxay to travel with the School for International Training to Kunming, China. During the six-week program, she will study community health and traditional Chinese medicine by working with professionals in urban and rural areas. Critical health issues, Chinese traditional healing practices, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and other topics will be covered.

Congressman Gilman retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee. “Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates,” he said. “Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation exposes students to alternate views and adds an enriching social and cultural experience.”

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

“International education is one of the best tools for developing mutual understanding and building connections between people from different countries,” said Allan Goodman, president and CEO of IIE. “It is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business, and the lasting ties that Americans make during their international studies are important to our country in times of conflict and peace.”

In addition to being named a Gilman scholar, Vongxay has received ������Ƶ’s Charles Sabatino Study Abroad Scholarship also to support her international educational experience in China.

She resides in Rochester.