GW Scholar Wins Gilman Award for International Study

Bawi L. Par, a junior majoring in cultural anthropology at The George Washington University, is a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This prestigious award supports students in study abroad experiences as they gain proficiency in diverse languages, cultures and skills. As a Gilman Scholar, Bawi will study at Yonsei University in South Korea while she continues her undergraduate studies.

Originally from Chin, Myanmar, Bawi didn’t think she would have the opportunity to study abroad. She is eager to share her experience when she returns.

“Growing up as a refugee from Myanmar, I never knew anyone who went to study abroad, let alone with a scholarship.”

“Growing up as a refugee from Myanmar, I never knew anyone who went to study abroad, let alone with a scholarship,” Bawi says. “I want to be the one to show other young people in my community that they can do it, too.”

Bawi is drawn to help her younger peers, while learning about different cultures. Her positive experience as a math tutor for the nonprofit Re’Generation Movement helped solidify her decision to study cultural anthropology. While working at Re’Generation Movement, which seeks to empower young people of different diasporas, Bawi recalls being able to successfully tutor students despite language and cultural barriers.

“I want to able to take these things that I am good at and impact other people’s lives,” Bawi says. “Whether it’s through education or working to improve existing systems in their society to make daily lives easier.”

Bawi will begin her first semester of studies in South Korea next fall. She hopes to share her experience to inspire all students to study abroad, even peers who may feel limited by financial constraints.