Three University of Wisconsin-Superior students are receiving Gilman Scholarships to help them take part in study abroad opportunities this winter and spring.

• Timothy Rogentine of Cloquet, Minn., who's majoring in international business, economics and Chinese, will spend the Spring 2011 semester studying in China.
  
• Lalese Dawano of Minneapolis, who's majoring in transportation and logistics management, will study in India during the university's winter break.
  
• Jami Koivisto of Duluth, who's majoring in English, also will study in India during the winter break.

The federal Gilman Scholarship Program provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

Cherie Sawinski, study abroad program manager at UW-Superior, said the Gilman Scholarships are aimed at students who often do not participate in study abroad programs because of financial need, their academic major or because they are first-generation college students. The scholarships also encourage students to study in countries that don't attract many U.S. students.

Koivisto, a non-traditional student, said the Gilman Scholarship enables her to take part in a four-week study trip to India that fits well with her family obligations. She expects the opportunity will help her career plans.

"I'm excited about the culture we're going to experience. We'll be learning about new things, a new religion and new people," she said. "My minor is business administration, so it'll help me to get a job after graduation because I'm looking at doing technical writing, and businesses might look more closely at an applicant who has some worldly experience."

Once they return to campus, the Gilman Scholarship recipients will share their experience with other students through essays or presentations.