Nevada Central Elementary School students will be getting letters from New Zealand this fall.

They can thank Jessica Stromer, senior in elementary education, who has received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad, awarded by the U.S. State Department.

The Gilman Scholarship requires that its recipients propose an educational program that ties their studies abroad with their home institution or community. Stromer decided to set up a pen pal system between students in Alexandria and a class she tutored at Central Elementary School in Nevada.

Stromer is the first ISU student to receive money from the Gilman Scholarship Program. Her $3,000 award will be applied to her upcoming travels to Alexandria, New Zealand. Stromer will student-teach this fall at Terrace Primary School in Alexandria, an opportunity for which she was selected by the department of curriculum and instruction earlier this spring.

Stromer said money was a big issue for her trip, and after she was accepted for the study abroad program, searching for scholarships was the next obstacle to overcome.

“If it was out there, I decided, why not try for it?” Stromer said.

Ann Pierce, program assistant of curriculum and instruction, has worked with Stromer during the past few months. Pierce said Stromer is a very goal-oriented individual and that she is motivated.

“She went looking for financial help on her own, and we were pleasantly surprised,” Pierce said. “She really felt strongly about having that experience. She was determined to do this and make it work.”

Stephanie Southwell, graduate student with an undeclared major, has been friends with Stromer since the two met at freshman orientation four years ago. She said Stromer is a good student and is great with children.

“She is very professional and is always able to get a great rapport going with students by talking to them about their interests,” Southwell said. “Instead of getting frustrated with them, she is able to point them in the right direction.”

Stromer said she was able to apply the most important thing she has learned from teaching to her experience with the Gilman Scholarship.

“Be willing to take a risk, that you don’t know ’til you try,” Stromer said. “Be willing to ask questions, because sometimes that’s the only way you’re going to learn.”

The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is administered by the Institute of International Education.

During the 2003-04 school year, 2,266 applications were received for the Gilman Scholarship; 365 were awarded.