We are thrilled to announce that in the Fall 2024 semester’s cycle of the Gilman Scholarship, five of our students were each awarded $3,000 to put towards their study abroad experiences! With the Gilman Scholarship reopening this Spring Semester, we strongly encourage students to look into our study abroad opportunities and apply for the Gilman Scholarship for the chance to win up to $5,000 to fund their international education.

To support students through the scholarship application process, Kelly Li, the Program Coordinator for Study Abroad Programs, hosted an in-person Gilman Info Session and essay workshop on February 5th at Skyline College with support from the Learning Center and Financial Aid office. Attendees enjoyed lunch while learning about the scholarship opportunity, application process, and tips for scholarship essays. For those unable to attend, we held a virtual Gilman Info Session on February 11th via Zoom. We are incredibly proud of our students for taking advantage of this scholarship and cannot wait to see where their hard work takes them next!

Exciting Transfer Opportunity: Rennes School of Business, France.

Beyond the Gilman Scholarship, we are excited to introduce a fantastic opportunity for students pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Business: a transfer pathway to the Rennes School of Business (RSB) in France! This program allows students to earn their Bachelor’s Degree in just one year after transferring. Additionally, students can complete their Masters in Business with just one additional year of study.

To provide more details on this opportunity, representatives Ms. Aude Leclerc from RSB and Mr. David Do Paço from the French Consulate in San Francisco visited Skyline College on February 19 to host an informative session. This transfer program is perfect for students eager to combine cultural immersion with a fast-tracked academic journey. It provides invaluable global experience, preparing students for a competitive job market.

A Student Success Story: Valerie’s Journey

Check out Valerie’s inspiring story. Valerie, a College of San Mateo alum, is currently enrolled in the Bachelor’s program at Rennes. She is also a recipient of a €2,000 CCID scholarship and a FAFSA beneficiary. Watch Valerie’s journey here.

Affordable and Accessible International Education

In addition to providing career-focused preparation, this program is both cost-effective and time-efficient. Tuition is approximately $10,000 per year, making it more affordable than out-of-state tuition and even many in-state tuition rates. Students are also eligible to use FAFSA and various scholarships, including the Gilman Scholarship, to fund their studies abroad.

Additional Study Abroad Opportunities:

Summer 2025 Internships in Barcelona, Milan, Paris, and Ghana.

Summer 2025: Film Study in Rome

Summer 2025: Environmental Science Study in Peru

Fall 2025: Semester Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

SMCCCD Study Abroad is the district-wide study abroad program housed at Skyline College. For more information about studying or interning abroad, faculty-lead abroad opportunities, community travel for lifelong learners, and student scholarship opportunities, please contact Kelly Li at studyabroad@smccd.edu or by calling 650-738-7098. You can also learn more by visiting the SMCCD  Study Abroad Facebook page or Instagram @smcccd_study_abroad. Check out our event calendar for upcoming events.

We encourage students to take advantage of these incredible opportunities and embark on their study abroad journey today!

Article by Kylie Chan, edited by Kelly Li.