Tessie Sacchetti is a junior marine science student who is minoring in animal studies and is from Pipersville, Pennsylvania. She was also one of a dozen Eckerd students who visited Costa Rica as part of a course titled Sea Turtle Conservation and Rehab, led by Tim Bransford, Ph.D., assistant professor of animal studies.
“We’ll be working with the Latin American Sea Turtle Association,” Tessie explained. “This work ties into a lot of disciplines I’m interested in. I want to work in conservation education at a zoo, an aquarium, or a rehabilitation center in the future, and this research connects to my current work with herptiles. I also like to have multiple experiences outside of biological ones on these trips, such as focusing on the culture and people of Costa Rica, something I wouldn’t be in touch with normally back at home.”
Tim Kusterbeck, a junior biology and environmental studies student from Huntington, New York. won’t be traveling to Peru until August, when he’ll be part of an Autumn Term cohort led by Nathan Andersen, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, and Jared Stark, Ph.D., professor of literature and comparative literature. The course title is Trekking Peru: Food, Culture, and Nature.
“We’ll be traveling to three locations within the country, including the capital, Lima, and we’ll be learning about the culture and history of Peru,” Tim says. “When I was 7 or 8 I was watching historical documentaries about the Inca empire, and I was fascinated by Machu Picchu, the famous Lost City. Now I’ll have the chance to see this place in person.
“I chose Eckerd College for all the opportunities to study abroad,” he adds. “I had never been out of the country prior to coming to Eckerd, but I have since traveled to Chile on my first Winter Term abroad last year. I really believe exploring foreign countries can enrich you as a person. Eckerd is very unique in that aspect. It’s very normal to do a study abroad program. And there are many ways to make it affordable, too. It’s something I’m very thankful for.”
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a United States Cultural Exchange Program, is named after the late congressman Benjamin Gilman, who served in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 2003 and was active in foreign affairs issues. The program is administered by the United States Department of State and supported by the Institute of International Education.
The Scholarships are intended for U.S. undergraduates from diverse backgrounds and students going to nontraditional study abroad destinations. Gilman Scholarships provide grants for students to pursue overseas study for college credit. To be eligible, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application.
“We’re very proud of these students for earning Gilman Scholarships,” says Kat Robinson, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty for student success. “The Gilman Scholarship is a nationally competitive award and provides critical support for students who receive the Pell Grant, making global learning opportunities more accessible. These scholarships are truly transformative, allowing students to pursue international experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.
“The strength of our students combined with our Winter Term offerings truly created an amazing opportunity for these four students to earn financial support while developing skills, thoughts, and networks that will take them and their Eckerd education around the world.”
For the second year in a row, Eckerd College recently ranked first in the nation in short-term study abroad among baccalaureate institutions, according to the 2025 Open Doors Report.