Jax State Marketing Major Cara Archer Awarded Gilman Scholarship to Travel Abroad
10/11/2024
By Brett Buckner
Cara Archer, a 23-year-old senior marketing major from Piedmont, always dreamed of traveling abroad. However, the realities of time and expense stalled that dream until an unexpected opportunity emerged. Motivated by the prospect of studying in South Korea—driven by her long-time love for K-pop—Cara transferred to Jacksonville State University (Jax State). Jax State’s partnership with three South Korean universities aligned perfectly with her ambitions. “I had tried to learn the language before, but I only knew basic phrases and how to read Hangul,” she noted.
Once at Jax State, Cara met with Ingrid Galinat, director of the International House and Programs, and Javier Burrows from the Study Abroad program, who encouraged her to apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The application process was challenging. “I wrote four essays—statement of purpose, building mutual understanding, follow-on service project, and critical need language. I spent about two months revising and refining them,” she recalled, utilizing resources from the writing center for extra help.
Cara was in the Dollar General parking lot when she received her acceptance. “I was very nervous to open it because I was afraid of being rejected, but when I read ‘accepted,’ my heart jumped. I cried because I knew this would be a trip of a lifetime,” she said. As a first-generation college student, she felt proud to pave the way for her family.
From August 1 to August 23, Cara experienced the vibrant culture of South Korea, supported by the Gilman Scholarship. The memories she treasures most were created with friends she made, especially her “Korean buddy,” Minseon. They bonded over their mutual love for the video game “League of Legends,” spending hours gaming and listening to music together. “Minseon made me feel very welcome, and I consider her a great friend,” Cara shared, adding that they plan to reconnect and possibly travel to Japan together.
Throughout her stay, Cara met peers from around the globe—Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and various parts of the U.S.—sharing childhood games and cultural insights. “I’ve always been curious about people but never had the chance to ask questions,” she explained. Saying goodbye at the end of her journey was bittersweet. “We all cried, which showed the connections we made beyond cultural differences and language barriers. It’s hard to put into words how it changed me, but my appreciation for other cultures has greatly improved,” she said.