by Dina Gustin 8/10/26
Joseline Torres arrived in New Zealand ready to challenge herself. With every step of her global journey, Joseline Torres grew in confidence and impact. As a first-generation college student balancing family responsibility, financial constraints, and a demanding course load, life often felt like an endless cycle of “fight-or-flight.” Yet when her plane touched down in Dunedin, Aotearoa (New Zealand), for the Spring 2025 semester abroad, that constant pressure began to ease. She continued to challenge herself and exceed expectations, but with a newfound sense of freedom—discovering what it felt like to thrive without being weighed down by the same stress.
A University of Houston student, majoring in Psychology and Human and Family Sciences,
Torres spent five months studying at the University of Otago (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka) in Dunedin. The experience, made possible by the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, didn't just expand her academic horizons—it fundamentally changed how she experiences
the world, treats others, and understands culture.
"Because of the Gilman Scholarship, I discovered my own sense of belonging and resilience," Torres says. "I would encourage anyone to apply. The chance to step out of your comfort zone changes everything. After writing the essays, receiving the scholarship, and being abroad, I found alignment with my true values and limits, so instead of feeling out of place everywhere I went, I acknowledged that I am deserving of everything I received or experienced. "
A Chance Encounter at Orientation
Torres’s path overseas didn't start with a plane ticket; it began at a crowded campus
orientation tabling event. There, she met a Learning Abroad advisor and the Global
Guides with the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). Studying abroad had always
seemed like a distant luxury given the expenses involved, but learning about available
funding and scholarships changed her trajectory.
The application process forced her to dig deep.
"The Gilman Scholarship asked me to look inside myself more than any other application," Torres reflects. "It pushed me to truly understand my own story and motivation."
She wasn't alone in the process. Coordinated by Associate Director, Dr. Andie Beer-Vollmar, Joseline had focused support from the Learning Abroad team, UH Writing Center, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards, and faculty leaders. Torres prepared her application, and the IGE team went above and beyond to guide Joseline to dig deeper and put more of herself into the written essays. She met with her Learning Abroad advisor several times, until she got the four essays ready to submit.
When news arrived that she had been selected, Torres was ecstatic. The funding from
the Gilman Scholarship—alongside support from program partners like WorldStrides and
IES—lifted the financial burden entirely. For the first time, she could focus on learning
and self-discovery without worrying about living expenses.
Landing in Dunedin brought an immediate sense of relief—a physical drop in stress
that Torres hadn't anticipated. Part of that shift came from immersing herself in
New Zealand’s distinct 'calm down culture.'
"What surprised me most was how people handle stress," Torres says. "Among New Zealanders
or Kiwis, there's a common saying: 'She'll be right.' It taught me to pause, take
a breath, and stop worrying constantly."
Institutional Respect in Action
At the University of Otago, Torres also observed a deep, systemic commitment to Indigenous
heritage that resonated with her personal history. With a grandmother of Indigenous
Mexican descent, Torres was deeply moved by the visibility of Te Reo Māori (the Māori
native language).
For Joseline, seeing a university elevate an Indigenous language with communications
featuring both English and the Māori language clearly fostered respect. Lessons that
are directly applicable to her future work in psychology and family sciences.
Seeing Humanity Beyond Textbooks
Coursework in Dunedin brought world-changing realizations. In one of her courses,
Joseline learned about different approaches to childbirth—viewing it not as a purely
medical or clinical procedure, but as a sacred, holistic human transition. She also
experienced learning from case studies, going beyond pure memorization of theorists
or historical concepts and into lively discussions that are relatable.
The insight gave clarity to her career goals: she wants to treat people with a deep emphasis on cultural empathy and emotional intelligence, rather than viewing human experience through a strict "black-and-white" lens.
Full Circle
Now back on campus as a senior and Student Summer Worker in IGE, Torres is stepping
into a new role as a Lead Global Guide for the upcoming fall 2026 semester. She is
paying it forward to other first-gen students who might assume international study
is out of reach.
For the 2026 academic year, sixteen University of Houston students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship totaling $52,500 as the students pursue their Learning Abroad experiences. The Fall 2026 Deadline application will open in mid-August for applicants whose abroad programs or internships start between December 1, 2026, to October 31, 2027.
Learn more about Gilman Scholarships: gilmanscholarship.org
Talk to a Learning Abroad Advisor: https://www.uh.edu/learningabroad/
Join the Center for Student Empowerment: uh.edu/cse