For Lander University student Grace Harvey, the college classroom now stretches across the Aegean Sea after being selected as a recipient of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The nationally competitive program, designed to expand access to global learning experiences for American students, is awarded through the U.S. Department of State and is named for a 30-year member of the U.S. House of Representatives who was chair of the Committee on International Relations.
Harvey, who grew up in Greenville, Michigan, before moving to Piedmont in 2020, is studying this semester on the Isle of Rhodes in Greece, known for its beaches and natural beauty, as well as its strong standing in world history for its medieval Old Town, the ancient Acropolis of Lindos and its status as the home of the Colossus of Rhodes. “This opportunity is possible only because of the programs Lander provides, and it will enhance my education from Lander significantly by allowing me to have first-hand experience with some of the most famous historical sites in the world that I will see on my study tour,” she said.
In fact, Harvey made her decision to attend Lander after applying to Lander’s Honors College where “I learned about the incredible travel and study abroad opportunities offered through the University’s Breakaway program,” said Harvey, a junior majoring in secondary history education. “I heard about the Gilman Scholarship from Dr. Lillian Craton, director of Lander’s Honors College, and Professor Lauren Corbitt, director of the Office of Study Abroad, and I decided to apply.”
A Lifelong Interest in Greek History
Harvey’s interest in Greece began as a child and was “mainly inspired by the books my mother bought me, like National Geographic dictionaries that depicted ancient ruins that remain standing despite being built thousands of years ago,” she said.
“Growing up, I was fascinated with stories of knights and castles which heavily influenced my decision to study in Rhodes, which is home to the best-preserved medieval city in the world and the awe-inspiring Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes.”
Now that the pictures she viewed in awe as a child are part of her everyday life, Harvey said her experience on the Isle of Rhodes has been incredible. “My favorite part of this island is how seamlessly the past is incorporated into the present. There are intersections that go underneath ancient archways, with stop signs attached to the stonework. Centuries-old Roman ruins are down the street from the local supermarket. History is woven into the very DNA of this island, and it is incredible to see.”
Harvey’s new routine abroad includes “grabbing coffee at a very popular cafe that looks out to the harbor where, in myth, the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. While the actual location of the Colossus is still heavily debated and generally believed to have been located more inland, being able to imagine it towering over the harbor while I drink coffee and do homework is an incredible experience.”
Study Abroad Changes Perspective
International study experiences challenge students to step outside their comfort zones and see the world -- and themselves -- in new ways. “When students immerse themselves in another culture, they develop independence, adaptability and a deeper global awareness that simply can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom,” said Corbitt.
“The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is especially significant because it removes financial barriers and opens doors for students like Grace to pursue transformative experiences abroad. It ensures that talented, motivated students like Grace have access to opportunities that will shape both their academic journeys and their futures.”
Before going to Greece, Harvey was the recipient of a Cleland Student Research Fund award. Named for the late Dr. Joel Cleland, a professor emeritus in Lander’s Department of History and Philosophy who established the fund with his wife Abby, the award supports history majors as they pursue research projects and presentation opportunities at conferences.
“Grace Harvey embodies the very best of Lander," said Dr. Ryan Floyd, professor of history and chair of the Department of History and Philosophy. "The Gilman Scholarship is an impressive honor and highlights Grace's academic and co-curricular achievements in our department and in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Having also received funds from the Cleland Student Research Fund speaks to her dedication to historical inquiry."
A Journey toward the Future
Harvey believes that the global perspective she will achieve through her studies in Greece will help her in her future career as an educator. “I am most looking forward to using the time abroad to learn more about Greece's incredibly rich history to teach in my own classroom,” said Harvey, who will graduate from Lander in 2028 and is planning to pursue a career in social studies education in a middle or high school in South Carolina.
“I am excited to help my students in the future understand that studying abroad is an option for everyone, as I never would have had this opportunity if it were not for the scholarships I received through Lander. Each class I’ve taken has, in some way, helped to prepare me for this experience abroad.”
Gilman, a World War II veteran who died in 2016, was a strong advocate for study abroad experiences as a means of helping young people become “citizen ambassadors.”
“Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience,” Gilman said. “It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”