From the Pueblo to Perugia: A Gilman Scholar’s Journey
Authored by Gilman Scholarship Recipient Deandra R. Rosetta
Ciao a tutti! I’m Deandra Rosetta, a Native American from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico, and a Summer 2025 Umbra Institute student. I usually attend the University of New Mexico for Film and Digital Arts, but for six weeks, I was away from my desert home while studying abroad in the beautiful, lush Perugia, Italy. This was my first time traveling outside of the United States, and my time abroad was full of growth, exposure, and learning I’ll never forget.
Support from the Gilman Scholarship
I was able to make this experience possible thanks to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which awarded me $3,000 to help cover the cost of the program. Studying abroad is something I have always wanted to do, and the scholarship made the experience financially manageable. The Gilman Scholarship helped take a huge weight off my shoulders. It covered the remaining cost for the program, and the rest went towards my meals abroad.
Exploring Italy and Beyond
With this support, I had more freedom to explore Perugia, try new foods, and even travel to other cities on the weekends. Some of the wonderful places I visited include Lake Trasimeno, Rome, Florence, and the holy city of Assisi. I was able to focus on my classes, which benefit my career in the film industry, without having to worry whether every small expense would stretch my budget too thin.
Growth Through Challenges
Living abroad came with its challenges, but these tough times are what
pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. Being in a new region of the world, where everything from the language to the landscape was different than home, was a big transition for me. I felt like I had to learn how to grocery shop all over again because I was surrounded by unfamiliar ingredients in Italian packaging that I struggled to read. Learning how to navigate public transportation was especially difficult because I come from a place where most people travel by car. Every small challenge I overcame made me more resilient, and as time went on, I came to love and appreciate this new place I began to call home.
A Newfound Confidence
My new environment gave me a deeper sense of confidence within myself, both as a person and as a future filmmaker. I’m incredibly grateful for the Gilman Scholarship for helping me make my study abroad experience a reality. It changed the way I see the world and myself.
Advice to Future Applicants
I encourage any student who’s even slightly interested in applying to go for it. Thinking back, I remember being extremely swamped with assignments around the time this scholarship was due and almost didn’t complete my application, but my heart just wouldn’t have it. So, around 7 p.m. the night the application was due, I finally decided to sit down and complete the three essays I had been putting off for weeks. I’m glad I pushed through and submitted it, because sometimes all it takes is trying to receive these kinds of opportunities. The support I received gave me the chance to experience something unforgettable, and I’ll carry these lessons and memories for life.