Hey guys! My name is Maryam, I'm 23 years old, and I’m from Maryland. I was born in the U.S., but my whole family is from Pakistan. I’m a college student at the University of Maryland, where I study biology and French. I’ve always loved exploring and learning new things. Some of my favorite hobbies are kayaking, cooking, and special effects makeup!
I grew up in a house with two different cultures and up to four different languages being spoken at once. It sounds crazy, but it felt totally normal to me. Culture is made up of so many little things like food, clothes, and religion, but what most often ties it all together is language. Just knowing a language can open up a whole new world for you! I chose to study abroad in France to improve my French skills and see how other people live.
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!
