Meet the Winners of the 2025 David Hershberg Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad!
Hannah Limbong - University of Louisville
A Short Excerpt from Hannah on her Background and Upcoming Study Abroad Trip:
“My summer project is about people—their stories, struggles, and resilience. It explores how digital storytelling can drive human centered advocacy, particularly for food security. By studying international organizations in Europe, I will examine how advocacy strategies can strengthen community-based programs in Malawi. First, I will visit public health and policy centers in places such as Geneva, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; and Ireland to see how storytelling shapes policy and action. Then, I will spend a month in Malawi assisting in a University of Louisville public health research project. In addition, I will talk with Malawian healthcare professionals then go beyond the healthcare settings to hear from families, farmers, and advocates about food security’s daily impact. To share their voices, I am launching a podcast—using storytelling to document best practices, amplify local perspectives, and advocate for sustainable solutions. Because behind every policy and program, there are people whose stories deserve to be heard.”
Jack McFarland - Morehead State University
A Short Excerpt from Jack on his Background and Upcoming Study Abroad Trip:
“My name is Jack McFarland and I am a Junior attending Morehead State University studying pre-veterinary medicine. I am from Louisville, where I work as a veterinary technician assistant at an emergency animal hospital. My goal is to attend veterinary school and earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating vet school, I plan on working in a rural area of Eastern Kentucky, a region which is suffering from the nationwide shortage of veterinarians. During my summer study abroad trip, I will be traveling to Scotland and shadowing at four different veterinary practices across the country. While spending a week at each practice, I will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with a variety of animals—both domestic and exotic, observe different veterinary specialties like orthopedics, dentistry, and animal behavior—and hopefully make lasting connections with these veterinary professionals. After shadowing, I will be traveling to Inveruglas Isle, a small uninhabited island, to visit the ruins of a castle which once housed the chiefs of the Clan McFarlane, which I hail from. Then, I will spend time in Glasgow and Edinburgh, touring their veterinary schools and exploring these cities’ many museums and landmarks.”
