Dia duit (Hello)! My name is Kairy Mercado-Ramos, I am 20 years old and was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, but have lived in Springfield, Illinois for most of my life. For college, I decided to stay closer to home and attend Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois (about a 30-minute drive). There, I study Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Music. All of which I truly enjoy. I have always enjoyed traveling as a kid, so that was on my plan of things to do in college. When I heard how affordable it was to study abroad at my college, I became intrigued. This is when I decided to apply to the Irish American Scholars program, in which I got accepted to. I then was able to receive further funding by the Gilman Scholarship, which helped assure me that this would be affordable. From there, I was really excited to learn and continue my studies in a different country. I am currently living in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. The city is incredible, everyone is extremely nice, and I begin classes very soon! I am excited to make great connections at my University here in the United Kingdom, but more excited that you get to come along with me on this incredible journey. Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by clicking here!
