Three NJIT Students Win Gilman Scholarships to Study Internationally
Three NJIT undergraduates — two from the Hillier College of Architecture and Design and one from the Ying Wu College of Computing — won the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad.
Architecture majors Nataly Mendez ’27 and Tyler Hebert ’26 will participate in HCAD’s Kunstmeile Austria studio program, while computer science major and Albert Dorman Honors Scholar Amitesh Arya ’25 will study in South Korea during this semester with the ISEP program.
“Our professors tell us that experiencing architecture abroad enriches our minds on what was and can be built,” said Hebert. “So when the possibility of furthering my education, traveling and alleviating expenses with a scholarship became real, the Austria program made the most sense.”
Mendez looks forward to visiting Vienna to offer her expertise and learn from other colleagues. She has a special interest in landscape and urban design in architecture. “Seeing that the NJIT Kunstmeile Austria studio program presents an urban focused design challenge in the city of Vienna, a highly relevant city for this special interest, I know that this experience will offer me that nuanced understanding that will bring my work at my university to new heights,” said the Elizabeth, New Jersey native.
The program offers its participants the opportunity to make a design proposal for a physical location, allowing students a real-world opportunity to experience processes like site analysis, urban design challenges and master planning through a different lens.
HCAD’s summer program in Austria also includes an excursion to the Wachau Valley, west of Vienna. “Ideally, I would like to see and experience tradition and culture in a way in which I can make connections not only with my fellow study abroad participants but the town and landscape as well,” said Mendez. “After my program, I believe my experience on the excursion will feed back into my project and personal future studio work.”
Hebert also looks forward to visiting the Wachau Valley. “While abroad, I hope to exchange feedback with the locals on our studio's design proposals,” he said. “Draw out sketches of cool buildings and details I come across. I hope to traverse some of the trails along the country and take in the mountainous landscapes too.”
Arya, from Iselin, New Jersey, will experience his second study abroad experience as he already studied at Taipei Tech in Taiwan through NJIT. He chose ISEP because of its list of participating universities. Arya will attend Ewha Womans University and take part in a co-ed program. Although traditionally a women's university, Ewha Womans University is open to both male and female international students, and about 30% of all international students are male.
“Since this is my second time ever leaving the country, I am looking to push myself out of my comfort zone and explore a new culture. I am also excited to learn Korean,” he said.
In the future, Arya plans to work as a software engineer after returning from South Korea.
