Two Law, Technology and Culture Majors Win Gilman Scholarships to Study in South Korea

Two NJIT undergraduates won the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in South Korea.

Kiaja Jones ‘23 and Destiny Adeleye ‘23, both from Newark, shared their experiences on the process that led them to pursue a Gilman Scholarship and how this award will shape their future careers. 

Jones, an Albert Dorman Honors College scholar, wants to experience another culture different from her own. “I chose Korea because I’ve always been interested in Asian culture and I thought studying in Korea would give me a unique perspective on politics since the country is still technically at war,” said the 21-year-old rising senior. 

Adeleye, who’s a 20-year-old rising senior and knew since middle school that she wanted to study abroad, spent the spring semester of her junior year in South Korea. “I decided on Korea to explore a country I am most familiar with through the entertainment industry. Korea was just one of those unusual places and was a choice that I felt could push me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I liked the food and culture, and immersion in it gave me a different perspective that I was not expecting.” 

Founded in 2001, the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program has over 34,000 alumni. The program allows students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.

Jones is majoring in law, technology and culture and minoring in psychology, while Adeleye is majoring in law, technology and culture and minoring in global studies and history. 

“Part of the reason I’m into law is because law affects every part of our lives,” said Jones, who intends to help people through public health and real estate law. “I’ve seen firsthand how those below the poverty line struggle with obtaining affordable housing and legal issues that arise from landlords. Public health is something I’ve always been interested in. I want to do something that would allow me to advocate and translate the convoluted language of law for those it impacts.” 

After her time in South Korea, Adeleye renewed her sense of self and confidence in what she wants to achieve in life and who she wants to be. 

Inspired by Nadia Murad and Ngozi Iweala and motivated by her passion to advance and ensure human rights, especially for refugees and women worldwide, Adeleye has been the President of Amnesty International, where she has helped lead many projects. 

“At the NJIT Amnesty chapter, our primary focus has been topics that have been ongoing for years,” she said. “Conflict in the Middle East, South Asian human rights topics, Uyghur Muslims in China, and the Nigeria SARS project are just a few of the issues we tackled.”

Both Jones and Adeleye made special mention of Dr. Lorna Ronald, former director of honors advising and prestigious fellowships. Dr. Ronald encouraged them throughout the application process. 

“A few days before submission, I found out how competitive Gilman was and was immediately not excited about the project anymore,” said Adeleye. “Dr. Ronald encouraged me to trust in my skills and believed that if she could see my passion, so would the readers of my essays.”

After her time in South Korea, Adeleye is ready to take on her future goals. “I intend to continue to apply for projects that garner my interest and see where I am taken from there. I see myself accomplishing big things in the future,” she concluded.