For most people Jaylan Munoz’s age, traveling abroad and experiencing new cultures is still a wish list item, but thanks to a United States Department of State scholarship, the St. Joseph’s University, New York junior’s dream of studying abroad in Milan, Italy, is a reality.
The Long Island Campus speech pathology and audiology major is a recipient of the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that enables students to study or intern abroad by providing them with funds to defray costs such as tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, passport and visa fees.
“Thanks to this scholarship, I will be studying abroad in Milan, Italy,” Munoz said. “What interests me about Italian culture is their family orientation, food, religion and art. I have always wanted to learn about other cultures and I am also excited to learn more about Italian fashion.”
Munoz will study in Italy from Feb. 20 until June 1, and she hopes to fully explore Italian culture, as well as other countries. She worked with Linda Lubranski, coordinator of global studies and director of academic engagement at St. Joseph’s, to develop her application for the Gilman Scholarship.
“I knew that Jaylan was a prime candidate for this scholarship,” Lubranski said. “Jaylan’s focus, maturity, academic achievement and motivation are exceptional.”
Among the courses Munoz will take are “Italian Foods of the Future,” “The Fashion Market” and “The Italian Approach to the Media.”
“Something that is special about St. Joseph’s is that we are able to have courses approved that are unique and tailored to the students’ interests,” Lubranski said. “Jaylan has worked in restaurants and definitely has an interest in the culinary aspect of Italian culture.”
