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Beyond the Comfort Zone
$5 MILLION GIFT EXPANDS STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Ellie Flores ’24 said she was “a little nervous” when she set out for her LVC summer study abroad experience in Costa Rica in July 2022. The excursion was the first time abroad for the Elementary and Special Education double major, and she was traveling without her parents. Soon, though, Ellie began to realize the perspective-widening power of traveling and learning abroad. She connected with her three host families—her “favorite people in Costa Rica”—while completing six credits toward her Spanish minor, comparing the Costa Rican and U.S. cultures, and exploring major cities. By the next summer, Ellie was eager to board another plane for another adventure, one that would immerse her in the Italian language as she learned about the educational system through LVC’s five-week program in Perugia, Italy.
The future teacher said she was “immersed in the vibrant educational landscape of Italy and gained invaluable insights” through the new program for education majors created by Dr. Jeffrey Laferriere, Director of Secondary Education and Assistant Professor of Education. “One school stood out to me—an inclusive primary school emphasizing art and creativity as essential curriculum elements,” said Ellie. “The school provided a nurturing environment for children to explore their artistic talents, express themselves, and engage in collaborative projects. It ignited my passion for incorporating arts-based learning into my teaching.”
I realized that making mistakes was a natural part of the process, so my confidence grew, and I became comfortable engaging.
Ellie said overcoming the language barrier was challenging, but she practiced daily and interacted with locals. “I found that they were patient and appreciative of my attempts,” she said. “I realized that making mistakes was a natural part of the process, so my confidence grew, and I became comfortable engaging.”
“Studying abroad knocks people out of their comfort zones, and doing so is especially important while in college,” said Katherine “Kathy” J. Bishop, CEO, president, and chair of Lebanon Seaboard Corporation. “It makes you stronger, more willing to broaden your perspectives, and be more appreciative of other cultures and people.”
A member of the College’s Board of Trustees for more than three decades, Kathy established one of the largest gifts in LVC’s history to support students like Ellie. Through a donor-advised fund at Vanguard Charitable, Kathy created a $5 million resource to expand LVC’s study abroad offerings and increase the number of students studying abroad, especially those with limited financial resources.
Kathy created the fund after hearing about how costs were often a barrier to studying abroad. “I realized that funding was the only thing holding back talented young people from achieving their goals. I thought, ‘I can help fix that!’ So, I established a fund to benefit, at scale, students who desired the adventure and experience of new cultures and opportunities.”
LVC’s Director of Global Education, Jill Russell, said students have received $500-$3,000 in support of study abroad according to their financial need. She called the Bishop Fund a “difference maker” that convinced many more students to study abroad. “Some programs also enable students to complete minors or concentrations that they wouldn’t normally be able to fit into their regimented curriculum,” said Russell. Costa Rica, for example, has led quite a few students to complete a minor in Applied Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, which will make them more compassionate and communicative athletic trainers, doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.”
Tyler Hartl ’24, seized the opportunity to add a third major, International Business, through summer study abroad in LVC’s Maastricht program. The Flying Dutchmen football team member otherwise would not have had room in his packed semester schedule. Cost was a factor as well.
“The Bishop Fund award reduced the tuition cost considerably and allowed my mother and me more time to prepare financially,” said Tyler. “The grant ultimately made the experience possible. Without it, I would likely have had to postpone any plans to study abroad.”
A triple major in Business Administration, International Business, and Marketing with a French concentration, Tyler and his classmates studied business and intercultural communications in the European Union, at European Union institutions in Brussels, Belgium, and at major international corporations, including one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers.
I can also use my abilities to empower others, which was a lesson I won’t forget.
Hartl said the application process for a Bishop Fund Scholarship itself was educational.
“The application process was valuable because it forced us to consider the implications and purpose of studying abroad,” said Tyler. “I had this in mind during the Intercultural Communications course, in particular. Seeing the management trends and differences between the U.S. and European Union countries regarding strategies and priorities was immensely valuable. I also got to practice my French with native speakers!”
Tyler’s newfound interest in global affairs and international relations led him to an internship with the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, an independent, nonprofit organization focused on global learning and supporting future world leaders. “My biggest takeaway was that I have a voice,” said Tyler. “I can be a vehicle for the change I want to see in the world. I can also use my abilities to empower others, which is a lesson I won’t forget.”
Aspiring physical therapist Danny McHale ’25 expanded his worldview on the opposite side of the globe, traveling to New Zealand this past spring semester.
“The Bishop Fund grant helped offset my costs so I could travel more extensively and meet more people while in New Zealand,” said Danny, also a Dutchman football player. The Bishop grant enabled him to take classes outside the usual LVC curriculum, which he said will help make him a better practitioner.
“My favorite class was Pacific Health and Wellbeing. The professor shared a different perspective from traditional medicine that will benefit my career,” said Danny. “Since the Māori [the native people of New Zealand] have a deep connection with the water and often lean on water for health solutions, we surfed. Nobody cared how good they were; it was more about your connection with the water and how it moves you.”
Already an ardent environmental advocate, the experience made Danny even more inclined to protect our environment. “Seeing the natural beauty reinforced my passion,” he said. “The views were nothing like I had seen before, and I am grateful that I witnessed this kind of nature.”
Alexandra Wasko ’25 studied in New Zealand this past spring, too, and with a Bishop grant that led her to experience an eight-day road trip in a camper van by making her flight affordable.
It changed my perspective regarding my everyday decisions and actions.
“I learned how to problem solve during the trip and to be more flexible when things went wrong,” said Alexandra. “It’s cliché, but I stepped out of the van after eight days as a different person. I learned to let go of things I thought were necessary and shed many ingrained routines. I realized I no longer needed.”
“The ‘My Planet Under Pressure’ course also changed me,” added Alexandra, a Neuroscience major with a minor in Chemistry and a concentration in Applied Spanish. “Our professor made connections between societal consumerism and the impact it can have on the environment. Although the class didn’t directly relate to my goal of becoming a doctor, it changed my perspective regarding my everyday decisions and actions.”
Dr. Andrew Milosz, Clinical Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, like Professor Laferriere in Education, offered a first-ever study abroad program to Poland in Summer 2023, this one for 11 Physical Therapy majors. (The program is also open to Athletic Training and Exercise Science majors.)
“When I visited a pediatric hospital a few years ago, I realized the name of the village where it is located is called ‘Ameryka,’ so I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be exciting to bring American students to ‘Ameryka,’” said Milosz.
The pure love and passion the staff at both hospitals had for their patients was clear in the hospitals’ design.
The students traveled throughout the country, visiting multiple hospitals, university sports facilities, a health resort, an underground respiratory clinic, and physical therapy and fitness facilities. Among the highlights were virtual reality-adapted rehab machines to help patients fine-tune motor control skills, and high-tech simulation labs with manikins that performed breathing, blinking, salivation, birth, and more. The group also visited old town Warsaw, Wawel Royal Castle, an underground salt mine in Welickca, and the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Matthew Weinstock-Collins ’23, D’25 was among the inaugural participants and had previously studied in Costa Rica [with Ellie] while at LVC and in Maastricht, The Netherlands, while in high school.
“Poland was a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about healthcare in another country,” said Matthew, a four-year member of the men’s soccer team. “I learned about international healthcare systems in classes, and gaining first-hand experience was informative and career-enhancing.” Weinstock-Collins said he is now considering pursuing an international clinical.
“The pure love and passion the staff at both hospitals had for their patients was clear in the hospitals’ design,” said another participant, Meg McCracken ’26, D’28. “It was clear that even though the healthcare system is not ideal for them, Polish citizens still want to provide the best possible care for patients who need it, and it is possible to have great providers in these circumstances.
“My time abroad was so beneficial for my future in the healthcare system, not only being able to appreciate modern physical therapy techniques but also understanding the importance of history and how it shapes the people we become.
Correction: A previous version of this article included erroneous information about the experience of Ghada “Gigi” Mostafa ’23. Gigi studied in the Emirate of Sharjah, went there to do research on the Middle East, and does not have family in the United Arab Emirates. Trustee Kathy Bishop’s gift enabled her to pursue an opportunity not typically available to LVC students. We apologize for the errors.
