LEXINGTON, Va. March 7, 2024 — Virginia Military Institute cadet Kaiden Minter ’26, an international studies major, is spending spring semester studying with the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Belgrade in Serbia.

Minter awarded the Gilman Scholarship, a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which fosters mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries to promote friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations.

Minter has been interested in the Balkan region for a long time. “The peninsula has a history of several different cultures living on it, causing a past marred with conflict as these cultures interact. When you look at other regions of similar sizes in Europe, like the Iberian Peninsula or the British Isles, you don't see this type of conflict, so I've always been curious to study it physically,” stated Minter. 

The courses in which Minter is currently enrolled in Serbia are U.S. Foreign Policy; European Politics; An Analysis on Conflict in the Balkans; International Political Economy; and Serbian Language, Culture and History. Each class compliments the others, and all of them are applicable to his major and classes he will be taking when he returns to Lexington. Minter shared that choosing to study in Serbia was a smart decision. “From the low cost of living to its similarity in geography to Southwest Virginia—with rolling soft mountains and deciduous forests—this is a wonderful place for me to study. The thing I love most though is the city of Belgrade itself. It's a unique blend of Mediterranean and Eastern architecture mixed with the block structures of a communist state. The main fortress complex of Belgrade called, Kalemegdan, which has been used since the times of the Romans, is a short walk from my apartment.”

According to Todd Lee Goen, director of the Office of Global Education and senior international officer at VMI, the Gilman Scholarship was awarded last fall to approximately 1,700 American undergraduate students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. “The global education team is proud of Kaiden’s success in obtaining a Gilman Award, which is a testament to his desire to advance his global competencies through study abroad. His experiences in Serbia will expand his worldview and make him more competitive throughout his career,” said Goen.

Minter’s academic advisor, Col. Patrick Rhamey, professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science recalled that Minter developed a clear passion engaging the world in his introduction to international politics course. “What makes that academic experience all the more exciting is this chance for Kaiden to study abroad provided by the Gilman Scholarship. These opportunities provide a firm foundation for future successful careers beyond America’s borders.”     

Minter recommends Serbia as a place for other VMI cadets to study because of all the military history surrounding the region.

Minter is the grandson of Mark and Millie Minter of Roanoke. He is a graduate of Northside High School. He plans to join the Peace Corps and pursue a career in diplomacy after graduating from VMI.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE