The Department of International Studies recently created a new study abroad scholarship program for IS majors and bridge majors, thanks to the generous support of Bob Buckman and Joyce Mollerup. The Buckman-Mollerup Global Leadership Awards are merit-based, competitive awards for students interested in gaining an international perspective. Margaux Moze ’20 and Bella Harden ‘20 were selected to receive this award for fall 2018. Moze, an economics and international studies bridge major from Austin, TX, will be travelling to Aix-en-Provence, France, while San Antonio, TX, native Harden, an international studies major with a minor in Russian studies, will be studying in Rome, Italy.
Aside from taking courses to fulfill both of her majors, Moze will be taking classes that combine all of her interests. “I will be pursuing my passion for food and the culinary arts within my studies through classes such as Regional Wine Trade and Economics and Wine and Food Pairing for the Sommelier.”
Moze considers studying abroad crucial to gaining a broader perspective on the world. She chose to study in Aix-en-Provence because of its geographic proximity to other countries that she would like to explore, such as Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Morocco. Moze will be taking courses on the Middle East and the European Union. “The university I’ll be attending in Aix offers courses that will allow me to expand my knowledge and studies on topics that aren’t currently offered at Rhodes, which will enable me to return to Rhodes with a diversified portfolio of knowledge on both sides of my major.”
Similarly, the program that Harden has chosen will allow her to explore different aspects of the subjects she has studied in her major. Harden’s program will focus on the correlation of history, culture, and politics within Rome. “While I’ve largely concentrated on international relations between states, I’ll be looking at how different elements of a city affect its perspective of the wider world.”
Like Moze, Harden believes that going abroad is intertwined with her international studies major. “Traveling has helped me to grow by contextualizing the learning I’ve done in the classroom at Rhodes. Using school in tandem with travel, as I did last summer when I studied contemporary Russia in Moscow, allows me to gain significant insights into the country’s culture.”
By Ellie Johnson ‘20