BSW Student Awarded 2025 Gilman Scholarship to Study Abroad
Undergraduate student Jackzyri Torres knew on her first campus visit to Florida State University that it had for her a “homelike vibe” and could envision herself as a student there. “It’s safe to say that the community and hospitality is what drew me to FSU,” she conveyed.
Originally from Miami, Florida, she was thrilled to come to Florida State as a first-generation college student. She declared a double major in psychology and social work with a minor in Italian to combine two of her passions, helping others and travel.
“What drew me to these fields is my own experience,” she expressed with candor. “I am very open about my experience with therapy and how it has helped me become the person I am today and continues to do so.”
Adding, “Having amazing mental health professionals who very much have had an impact on my life made me realize that I want to do the same for others.”
Jackzyri is especially passionate about representing the Latin/Hispanic communities in the mental health field to not only work with these communities but to destigmatize seeking mental health support.
I am deeply connected to my cultural background, and it is a fundamental part of my identity," Jackyri emphasized. “My family is from Nicaragua. I am always proud to say that the most influential person in my life is my mom who is a single immigrant woman who works tirelessly to provide for me,”
With such a deep passion for her own culture and learning about the cultures and experiences of others, she was eager for opportunities to travel and gain experiences on an international level. She decided more than anything she wanted to study abroad through the Psychology in London Summer Program but she needed financial support to make this dream a reality.
She learned of the Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship through an FSU Office of National Fellowships workshop. The scholarship supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to supporting United States foreign policy goals.
“Hearing them break down the application process and offer support for this process propelled me to work on applying,” she stated. “Every time I came across someone who participated in this opportunity, they would tell me how great it was.”
Jackzyri not only was awarded one of 15 Gilman scholarships awarded to FSU students, but she also received a Summer Scholarship from FSU International Programs and funding from the Illuminate Program and Scholarship through FSU CARE to support experiential learning.
“The way I see it, studying abroad opens doors to knowledge,” Jackzyri stressed. “Learning about new ways of living, cultures, cuisines and connecting with people.”
She also hopes to learn more about herself and how she navigates new challenges. “I am eager to gain new perspectives from the people I meet and how I can apply it to my future practice.”
This summer, she will spend 8 weeks in London, learning how the application of psychology differs across different cultures. Jackzyri is eager to connect with peers but also with Latin/Hispanic populations of London and beyond.
“I hope to expand my network globally,” she enthused. “I’m a strong believer in that we can learn from each other and push each other in a positive, improving direction. This experience will allow me insights into broader perspectives on how different societies approach challenges. In doing so, this will help me become a more culturally competent professional and look at global challenges through various lenses."