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UNC Asheville Study Abroad Students Get a Boost from Prestigious Gilman Program

Global learning takes flight as more UNC Asheville students earn scholarships and explore study abroad opportunities around the world.

By UNC Asheville

October 16^th, 2025

After deciding upon a study abroad program at the University of Melbourne in Australia, Zachary Moss, a UNC Asheville Atmospheric Science major with minors in Math and Philosophy, wasn’t sure how he’d be able to afford his trip. That’s when he turned to the UNC Asheville’s Study Abroad office, where Assistant Director Douglas Rhein introduced him to a number of financial awards, including the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program). Moss says the scholarship was a “game changer.”

“If it wasn’t for the Gilman Program, I probably would not have studied abroad,” he says. “I was really skeptical of pulling this off. I’m happy and proud that I was able to go to Australia this past spring.”

UNC Asheville Religious Studies major Melody Cosgrove is experiencing her own Gilman Program-supported semester abroad in Vienna, Austria. “It’s already been transformative,” she says. More than just an academic opportunity, she explains, Study Abroad with UNC Asheville is “a catalyst for growth, connection, and self-discovery. The support from faculty and staff made the process approachable, and the experience continues to shape how I see both myself and the wider world."

Zachary Moss, an Atmospheric Science major, poses with a local resident of the Moonlit Sanctuary during a semester abroad in Australia.

“It’s pretty rare to have a student who gets a Gilman Program scholarship.”

Moss and Cosgrove are part of a growing number of UNC Asheville students exploring international education opportunities. This past spring, 15 students studied abroad, 19 traveled in the summer, and 16 are studying abroad this fall. Additionally, about 60 students joined faculty-led programs over the summer.

Assistant Director of Study Abroad Douglas Rhein, who spent most of his life working with international students in Asia and joined UNC Asheville’s staff in 2024, says, “It’s pretty rare to have a student who gets a Gilman Program scholarship.”

Moss and Cosgrove were two of three UNC Asheville students this year awarded this nationally competitive, prestigious U.S. Department of State grant for students who might not have the means to study abroad.

Rhein believes expanded advising and positive word-of-mouth have made more students aware of the help and support they can receive through the Study Abroad Office. The office also works cross-departmentally with the Academic Success, Career, and Writing centers to help students learn about their options, prepare strong applications, and find programs that are a good fit for their academic goals.

Melody Cosgrove dancing at the Viennese Waltz opening performance of the IES 75th anniversary ball during her semester abroad

“The number one barrier to study abroad is finances,” Rhein explains. Some students may have jobs or financial commitments, like car insurance payments, that won’t stop when they go overseas. “There’s a psychological factor, too, that studying abroad is only for wealthy students or for students at big schools who have excess ability and support. We’ve been meeting with students to dispel that myth. It is affordable, and everyone can do it. We’ll help you apply for passports, find scholarships, and walk you through every step.”

Once finances come up, Rhein helps students find personal characteristics that might qualify them for scholarships. These can include students who are first-generation college students, children of active military members, or those with family ties to civic groups like the Rotary Club. “There are so many scholarships out there; we just need to get to know the students,” he says, adding that smaller grants can also add up.

UNC Asheville Study Abroad Students Get a Boost from Prestigious Gilman Program

"Study Abroad is affordable, and everyone can do it."

Moss says he was supported by UNC Asheville grants and scholarships, which together made his travel possible. While researching programs, he focused on finding schools with classes that could fulfill the requirements of his major. When it came time to figure out how to pay for the trip, Asheville was in the midst of Hurricane Helene, but the Gilman Program staff allowed him to submit materials after the deadline due to delays caused by the storm.

“One of the requirements to receive a Gilman Program scholarship is to be a Pell Grant recipient, so you have to demonstrate you are receiving need-based aid. Once you verify that criteria, I would encourage anyone who fits in that category to apply for it,” Moss says.

He encourages students who apply for a Gilman Program scholarship to think about clear and feasible goals abroad and reflect on them in their applications. “A great way to stand out among the applicants is to really think about what your life would be like there, what it would look like, and the outcomes of your experiences.”

Moss posing in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Most UNC Asheville students who study abroad want to learn a language or gain cross-cultural experiences, with many traveling to Western Europe, the United Kingdom, and, increasingly, Japan. “A lot of our students haven’t been abroad, or they haven’t traveled without their family, so it’s both a growth experience as well as an academic experience,” Rhein says.

He hopes to see students explore more non-traditional locations, like the Gilman Program scholarship recipients who studied in Austria, Australia, and Costa Rica. “We’re seeing more students going to places like Namibia, Ghana, Budapest—places that don’t get a lot of student mobility,” he shares. Because these are underrepresented locations, Rhein not only helps students find compatible scholarships but also keeps in touch with them while they’re abroad to ensure they feel safe and supported. The Study Abroad program also provides international health insurance to all students.

To students who might doubt whether they can afford to study abroad, Moss has a message: “Don’t be afraid to ask, and search for opportunities you may at first not consider doing.”

Cosgrove echoes this and encourages others to embrace the opportunity for growth: “I would encourage any student with even a spark of curiosity to take the leap and explore what’s possible.”

Ready to start your own adventure and learn more about UNC Asheville Study Abroad? Visit studyabroad.unca.edu or contact Doug Rhein at drhein@unca.edu.

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UNC Asheville Study Abroad Students Get a Boost from Prestigious Gilman Program

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