Grinnellian Receives Gilman Scholarship

Lange plans to study the impact of technology on democracy and citizenship at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Denmark is hailed as having a strong democracy and deeply happy citizens," Lange says. "Learning from Danish political scientists and experiencing Danish life will be formative in my studies of political and social science. I also will have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the social integration of technologies and politics through a course titled Rewriting Democracy: iCitizenship and e-governance in a Nordic Context."

At Grinnell College, she is active in mock trial and serves as administrative coordinator for the Student Government Association and as an advocate for first-generation college students.

"I am extremely appreciative of the Gilman Scholarship for making my semester abroad a possibility," Lange says. "In addition to academic growth, my semester in Copenhagen will provide great personal growth.

"This will be the first time I meet my father's extended family. After World War II, my grandparents emigrated from Germany to the United States, while other family members resettled in Denmark. We have recently reconnected with my father's family in Copenhagen, and I am very excited to meet and spend a few months getting to know my relatives."

Lange is the third member of her family to attend Grinnell. Her older brothers, Adam and Andy, graduated from the College in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Andy also received a Gilman International Scholarship, which supported his study abroad in Freiburg, Germany.

About the Gilman Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship is a competitive federal grant program that "provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study abroad programs worldwide." The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.

Emma Lange ’16 is majoring in political science and technology studies and is from Carroll, Iowa.