Junior Maddie Krischer enjoys Iceland from a unique perch during her 2025 Spring-into-Summer course. Photo courtesy of Maddie Krischer ’27
Of the four Eckerd College students who were awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships recently, one traveled to Mexico, one to Costa Rica and another to Antarctica. The fourth will head to Peru in August.
The students spend a month learning about the unique culture and environment in the country—or continent—they visit as part of Eckerd’s Winter Term and study abroad program.
And they’ve earned some help. Thanks to the Gilman Scholarships, each of the four Eckerd students received $2,500 to help defray the cost of their trips. Students also receive funding from various sources within the College. A January tradition at Eckerd since 1961, the three-week Winter Term offers students a chance to study abroad or on campus. This Winter Term, the College sent about 380 students on 22 faculty-led trips around the globe.
From their home base in Mexico City, 20 Eckerd students studied the culture and natural environment of Mexico led by Eckerd College Director of Sustainability Evan Bollier ’11, along with Tyler Cribbs ’16, Ph.D., assistant professor of environmental studies.
Gilman winner Brooke Hymiller ’27 (left) traveled to Cuba last January with her classmate, Rose Irwin. Photo courtesy of Brooke Hymiller ’27
Among them is Brooke Hymiller, a junior animal studies and marine science student from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. “I always wanted to study abroad, and last year, when I went to Cuba, it completely changed my life,” Brooke said before she left.
Senior Tim Kusterbeck spent January 2025 in Chile with a Winter Term class. Photo courtesy of Tim Kusterbeck ’26
“It opened my eyes to other cultures, and I got to meet so many awesome people in Havana that I’m still in contact with. That could lead to job opportunities in the future.”
Brooke said she expects her Mexico trip will be just as rewarding. “I’m so grateful to receive the scholarship and be able to go.”
Maddie Krischer, a junior computer science and marine science student from Avon, Ohio, was part of a group of 20 Eckerd students in Antarctica. Led by Assistant Professor of Marine Science Patrick Schwing ’06, Ph.D., the course titled Cultural and Natural Environments of the World: Antarctica included learning about the area’s diverse ecosystems and the effects of rising CO₂ levels. The group lived aboard the research vessel Plancius II, a converted cruise ship which can carry 108 passengers and 47 crew.
Junior Tessie Sacchetti took a faculty-led trip to Ecuador in 2025 and used her Gilman Scholarship to add another trip to her academic journey. Photo courtesy of Tessie Sacchetti ’27
“We’re going to the northwestern portion of Antarctica and visit the islands that have penguin colonies,” Maddie explained before embarking. “It will be summer in Antarctica—the warmest month—so the average temperatures will be between 0 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit.”
“I’ve known for a while I want to go into glaciology, and I have a background in computer science and computer modeling, which really helps. We’ll be meeting with other researchers, and also going ashore to take ice cores so we can learn about weather long ago and try to predict what can happen in the future.”
On one of the nights during the trip, the group was scheduled to camp under the stars. “I asked about tents,” Maddie says. “There won’t be any. We’ll be in insulated sleeping bags.
“But I’m excited to talk to all the experts on the research vessel and learn from them. And I’ve never seen penguins in the wild. And humpback whales, right whales, orcas … it’s a once in a lifetime experience. And yes, I’ve got my thermals and my electric hand warmers.”
Tessie Sacchetti is a junior marine science student who is minoring in animal studies and is from Pipersville, Pennsylvania. She was also one of a dozen Eckerd students who visited Costa Rica as part of a course titled Sea Turtle Conservation and Rehab, led by Tim Bransford, Ph.D., assistant professor of animal studies.
“We’ll be working with the Latin American Sea Turtle Association,” Tessie explained. “This work ties into a lot of disciplines I’m interested in. I want to work in conservation education at a zoo, an aquarium, or a rehabilitation center in the future, and this research connects to my current work with herptiles. I also like to have multiple experiences outside of biological ones on these trips, such as focusing on the culture and people of Costa Rica, something I wouldn’t be in touch with normally back at home.”
Tim Kusterbeck, a junior biology and environmental studies student from Huntington, New York. won’t be traveling to Peru until August, when he’ll be part of an Autumn Term cohort led by Nathan Andersen, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, and Jared Stark, Ph.D., professor of literature and comparative literature. The course title is Trekking Peru: Food, Culture, and Nature.
“We’ll be traveling to three locations within the country, including the capital, Lima, and we’ll be learning about the culture and history of Peru,” Tim says. “When I was 7 or 8 I was watching historical documentaries about the Inca empire, and I was fascinated by Machu Picchu, the famous Lost City. Now I’ll have the chance to see this place in person.
“I chose Eckerd College for all the opportunities to study abroad,” he adds. “I had never been out of the country prior to coming to Eckerd, but I have since traveled to Chile on my first Winter Term abroad last year. I really believe exploring foreign countries can enrich you as a person. Eckerd is very unique in that aspect. It’s very normal to do a study abroad program. And there are many ways to make it affordable, too. It’s something I’m very thankful for.”
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a United States Cultural Exchange Program, is named after the late congressman Benjamin Gilman, who served in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 2003 and was active in foreign affairs issues. The program is administered by the United States Department of State and supported by the Institute of International Education.
The Scholarships are intended for U.S. undergraduates from diverse backgrounds and students going to nontraditional study abroad destinations. Gilman Scholarships provide grants for students to pursue overseas study for college credit. To be eligible, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application.
“We’re very proud of these students for earning Gilman Scholarships,” says Kat Robinson, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty for student success. “The Gilman Scholarship is a nationally competitive award and provides critical support for students who receive the Pell Grant, making global learning opportunities more accessible. These scholarships are truly transformative, allowing students to pursue international experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.
“The strength of our students combined with our Winter Term offerings truly created an amazing opportunity for these four students to earn financial support while developing skills, thoughts, and networks that will take them and their Eckerd education around the world.”
For the second year in a row, Eckerd College recently ranked first in the nation in short-term study abroad among baccalaureate institutions, according to the 2025 Open Doors Report.
