The David Hershberg Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad

Meet the 2025 Winners of the David Hershberg Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad!

Hannah Limbong - University of Louisville

A Short excerpt from Hannah on her background and upcoming study abroad:

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:

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. Form your own 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.

If you are a student who is truly committed to create a meaningful growth opportunity through an international experience, the David Hershberg Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad could be a great fit for you.

The 2026 Hershberg Scholarship Has Been Announced

Scholarship Application Required Documents:

  • Fill out the application form. This includes personal information, resume highlights, a personal statement, trip information, and a trip budget.

  • Your resume emailed to contact@worldkentucky.org or mailed to our office at: World Affairs Council, 223 South 5th Street, 2nd floor, Louisville, KY, 40202.

  • Your OFFICIAL transcript mailed directly by your college/university to our office.

  • You must have two (2) recommendation forms completed. At least ONE of the completed forms by a recommender must come from an academic source. Also, the recommender must use an official email address (like a work email) when filling out the form, not a personal email account.

WHAT IS THE DAVID HERSHBERG SCHOLARSHIP?

An annual scholarship that awards recipients funds of at least $3,000 to be used to help defray the costs of international travel, lodging, and maintenance for a period of at least 21 days of study or research outside the United States.

Candidates are evaluated on the basis of their academic merit and on the importance of their proposed study/research abroad experience for their personal, intellectual, and professional career goals.

Selected recipients of the David Hershberg Scholarship are required to prepare a 10-15 minute video or PowerPoint presentation of their overseas experiences and present it at a World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana-sponsored event.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD?

The purpose of this award is (1) to enable the recipient to have an international experience of at least 21 days outside the United States as part of his/her educational development and (2) to provide an opportunity for the recipient to further his/her knowledge of cultures, languages, and societies in other parts of the world.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Eligibility for this scholarship is limited to any full-time, degree-seeking student currently enrolled in a degree program at any accredited institution of higher learning in Metro Louisville or the counties contiguous to Metro Louisville in both Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

This grant is also available to any full-time, degree-seeking student whose permanent residence is within the aforementioned areas but attends an accredited institution of higher learning outside the aforementioned areas (see below).

LIST OF COUNTIES THAT QUALIFY:

Southern Indiana:

  • Crawford

  • Clark

  • Floyd

  • Harrison

  • Jefferson

  • Scott

  • Washington

Kentucky:

  • Bullitt

  • Hardin

  • Henry

  • Jefferson

  • Meade

  • Nelson

  • Oldham

  • Shelby

  • Spencer

  • Trimble

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE HERSHBERG SCHOLARSHIP?

The following materials are to be included in the application form, which will be available at a later date.

  • A resume indicating relevant academic and work experience plus any previous international experiences.  

  • A personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining the reasons for wishing to study abroad and outlining what the candidate hopes to achieve by participating in this program. The committee looks for creative programs that can make a positive contribution to society as well as to their academic program and career path.

  • A project description of the educational activities to be pursued during the summer, e.g., research project, a language study program, work internship, course enrollment, or other. Applicants who only propose taking a set international course will receive a lower consideration by the committee.  The committee is looking for applicants who are committed to significant work that will result in an experience that is truly meaningful.  Sometimes an applicant might propose a combination of taking a set course, but then also adding a significant separate self-developed component.

  • A travel itinerary and estimated budget, specifying additional sources of funding to which the candidate will have access and/or for which they intend to apply.

Also required to apply:

  • Two (2) recommendation forms, at least one of which should be an academic reference on university letterhead. Please note that recommendation forms must be received by no later than the deadline.

    • Forms may be sent by completing the recommendation form found at the top of this page.

  • OFFICIAL transcripts of all post-secondary education issued from university registrars. Transcripts are to be mailed directly from the university registrar offices in a sealed envelope to the address below:

ATTN:

The David Hershberg Scholarship
World Affairs Council
223 South 5th Street, 2nd Floor
Louisville, KY 40202

History

This scholarship was established in memory of David Hershberg, a Louisville educator, mentor, and guiding force in the creation and development of the Louisville International Cultural Center (now the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana).

Dr. Hershberg was a career faculty member in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages at the University of Louisville and was particularly known for his dedication to student development, mentoring thousands of students over the course of his career. Additionally, Dr. Hershberg served as President of the Board of the Louisville International Cultural Center and as a member of its board of directors until his death in December of 2002.

This annual scholarship awards recipients funds of at least $3,000 to be used to help defray the costs of international travel, lodging, and maintenance for a period of at least 21 days of study or research outside the United States. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of academic merit and by the importance of their proposed study/research abroad experience for their personal, intellectual, and professional career goals.

The scholarship is administered by the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, a non-profit member-based organization whose mission is to promote cross-cultural awareness, education and tolerance through nonpartisan discussions on current international issues.