Two Heavener students receive competitive Gilman Scholarship

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida Heavener School of Business students Alejandra Carrasquilla and Rahul Kheraj received the prestigious and competitive U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Carrasquilla (BABA ‘21) and Kheraj (BSBA ‘20) were selected to receive the Gilman Scholarship for the spring of 2019. The Gilman Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity. It also enables students to gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures, skills that are critically important to their academic and career development.

Carrasquilla, a second-year general business student specializing in international studies and minoring in French and Francophone studies, will complete her study abroad experience at the SKEMA Business School in Sophia Antipolis, France. During her time at the SKEMA Business School, Carrasquilla will take courses in financial accounting, international management, information systems, and globalization and development.

“It feels absolutely amazing to win the Gilman Award,” Carrasquilla said. “I really can’t believe that I was one of the chosen few to receive such a prestigious award under the Department of State!”

Kheraj, a third-year student studying information systems, will study abroad at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain. He will study operations management, international business, as well as take a Spanish language and culture class. Kheraj said he’s excited for the classes as he believes they will be beneficial for his academic career and provide him with a strong foundation in the field of global business.

“I am beyond grateful to receive the Gilman Scholarship,” Kheraj said. “I believe it will contribute to my success abroad with no financial restrictions.”