UNF student earns Gilman Scholarship to expand global learning through service in Bali

When University of North Florida student Alaina Anglin traveled to Bali, Indonesia this summer, she gained far more than an international travel experience. Through cultural immersion, public health education and hands-on service learning, Anglin deepened her understanding of global health while representing UNF as the University’s sole recipient of this year's prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. 

Anglin, a health sciences major with a concentration in public health who graduated this summer, was selected for the competitive scholarship, which supports undergraduate students with financial need as they pursue academic opportunities abroad. Her selection placed her among just 2,100 students nationwide chosen from more than 12,200 applications. 

The scholarship allowed Anglin to spend her last semester at UNF participating in a UNF faculty-led study abroad program, led by Dr. Katryne Lukens Bull, public health program director; Dr. Ronald Lukens-Bull, professor of anthropology and religious studies; and Dr. Cristy Cummings, Master of Social Work program director. 

The immersive summer program explored the connections between culture, spirituality and public health in Bali. Students visited rural villages, temples and traditional health centers while learning how Balinese communities approach wellness, family life and community care. The program also incorporated service-learning experiences with local organizations focused on community health and cultural preservation. 

Exploring health through culture 

Anglin was drawn to the Bali program for more than its opportunity to travel abroad. As a graduating senior, she was also able to use the experience to fulfill an internship requirement for her degree. 

Following the three-week study abroad program, Anglin remained in Bali for an additional two weeks alongside Katryne Lukens Bull to participate in a maternal and child health-focused service-learning experience. In total, she spent approximately six weeks living in three different cities in Bali and gaining a deeper understanding of local communities and healthcare systems. 

Among the experiences that left the greatest impression were visits to organizations supporting women’s health and wellbeing, including centers serving survivors of domestic violence and clinics focused on maternal care. 

“The places that focused on women’s care and health had the biggest impact on me,” Anglin said. “I studied women’s health issues in previous classes, so being able to visit centers supporting women and speaking directly with patients made those topics feel real in a completely different way.” 

Another memorable experience came through a collaboration with the Ubud Food Fighters Project, where Anglin and other UNF students prepared, packaged and distributed food to community members experiencing poverty. 

“It was eye-opening,” she said. “It helped me better understand different realities and challenges most people in America wouldn't think about.” 

While the service-learning experiences strengthened Anglin’s understanding of public health, the cultural immersion left an equally lasting impression. 

One memory she expects to carry with her for years came during Kuningan, an important Balinese religious holiday honoring ancestors.  

“People dressed up every day, shared meals and spent time together,” Anglin said. “I even got to help make a penjor, a traditional Balinese ornament. It was such a meaningful experience to be welcomed into that tradition.” 

Anglin’s experiences strengthened her empathy and broadened her perspective on healthcare, helping her better understand how culture, personal beliefs and access to resources influence health outcomes. She said those lessons will shape her future career by allowing her to approach patients with greater understanding and cultural awareness. 

“It taught me not to take what I have for granted,” she said. “I consider myself open-minded, but this experience helped me appreciate how different circumstances affect how people grow up and how they live.” 

A supportive UNF experience 

Throughout the trip, Anglin said having experienced faculty leaders provided valuable support. 

“Having someone like Dr. Lukens Bull there was a huge benefit,” she said. “She led the program for several years and knows the culture and the communities we were visiting. If I had questions or wanted to learn more about something, she was always there to help guide me.” 

At UNF, Anglin has been involved in several organizations that have positively shaped her college experience, including the Black Student Union, the public health sorority Eta Sigma Gamma and the student organization For a Black Girl.  

As she prepares for the next chapter, which includes plans to pursue medical school in Washington, Anglin encourages other Ospreys to consider studying abroad. 

“Think about it early and explore scholarships that can help make it possible,” she said. “If it’s your first time leaving the country, a faculty-led program is a great way to get your feet wet. You get the experience of being abroad while still having support from faculty and other students.” 

For Anglin, international education is about much more than travel. 

“It widens your perspective,” she said. “You can become used to seeing the world from one viewpoint, but when you experience another culture, you realize there are so many different ways of living and thinking. It broadens your horizons and helps you better understand the world around you.”