Testimonials
TFED has had the priviledge of impacting many students lives. The following are a few of them
Skylar Singleton 2019
This past summer, I had the unique privilege of studying abroad at King’s College London supported by a travel scholarship from the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED). Initially, I was unsure of what to expect from this experience, but I quickly realized how excited I was by the material we studied in the Literature and Diplomacy course taught by Dr. Leinbaugh and Sir Christopher Meyer. Throughout the course we had the opportunity to interact with several prominent scholars, policymakers, and diplomats.
I particularly enjoyed the visit from Dr. Irving Finkel, a curator and historian at the British Museum. He spoke to us about his passion for ancient languages and cuneiform tablets from ancient Sumer. On our tour, he showed us amazing Akkadian and Sumerian archaeological artifacts, including the Royal Game of Ur, which was first played in ancient Mesopotamia during the early third millennium BC.
His vast knowledge and excitement about these topics brought these seemingly far-removed items into the present. At one point when he was speaking to us, he said something that struck a chord: “People who think we’re different from the past are wrong.” As a history major, one thing I've learned is that people don't change, only context and circumstances do. To have this point eloquently placed into such a rich historical context was inspiring to me and reaffirmed my love for the material I study back at UNC.
I am so grateful that I was able to have this experience in London and learn from such knowledgeable and passionate scholars. Rather than the mundanity of being in the same classroom day-in and day-out, Dr. Leinbaugh’s class made every day, every hour into a new experience. I got to see how people who've dedicated their lives to history directly interact with artifacts every day. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in history, diplomacy, government, or literature—or more generally, anyone who just wants the opportunity to explore the incredible city of London alongside an enthusiastic and unforgettable group of peers.
Randy Parnell 2019
"When I sat down with Joan Gillings, I asked her what advice she would give to her 20-year-old self. "Travel, travel, travel," she told me. And this summer, I did just that. On the UNC- King's College London program, I was able to study ancient books, listen to lectures from Dr. David Stuttard and Dr. Sam Moorhead, and watch the classroom come to life as we toured sites like the British Museum.
Another aspect of this program that made it unique was the opportunity to speak candidly with ambassadors and global leaders. During one class, the former British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christopher Meyer, gave us an insider's view on Brexit, only a few hours before he was interviewed by the BBC News on the same topic. Joan Gillings knows what she's talking about-- traveling for my education has made a significant impact."
Samantha Del Vecchio 2018
I was fortunate enough to spend two years living in London in my early teens, and through UNC-KCL Study Abroad and TFED, I was given the opportunity to return this past summer. I resolved to dedicate my six weeks to exploring as much of the city as I could, given how much I felt I missed the first time around—we’re never quite the tourists we should be in our own towns.
With the connections TFED provided, my classmates and I were able to see so much more of London than any regular tourist. From handling ancient artifacts in the basement of the British Museum to personal chats with leading British political and diplomatic figures, we were able to see a side of London not many are shown.
In Dr. Leinbaugh’s course, “Epic, Empire, and Diplomacy,” we tied together the ancient words of classical literature and modern political issues to see how much, or how little, our world has changed. This past summer allowed me to do the same in my own life—to see how much I had grown, or how much of me remained unchanged, as I saw a city I knew with new eyes.
Such an experience wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support of the Joan Heckler Gillings TransAtlantic Scholarship, for which I am incredibly thankful!"
Sam Pritchard 2018
“Through our programs sponsoring non-profit, TFED, our class was able to travel all over London, visiting places such as the British Museum and the Foreign Commonwealth Office. There, we received incredible lectures from accomplished leaders, such as Sir Simon McDonald, the top Civil servant in the Foreign Commonwealth Office. We got to ask a plethora of questions about current British foreign policy, expanding our understanding of geopolitics and giving me a once in a lifetime experience.
The other component of our class were the actual lectures from Professor Leinbaugh. While you may be thinking that is the most boring part of the trip, but this couldn’t be further than the truth. Dr. Leinbaugh skillfully guides the class through some of literature’s greatest works, including the Iliad, King Lear, and Beowulf. Discussing the importance and relevancy of the works broadened my own understanding of the world around me. The class even got to learn the first four lines of Beowulf, providing us with the most unique party trick at UNC. Truly, the UNC Literature and Diplomacy at Kings College London is one of the most amazing programs UNC has to offer, and I would recommend it to anyone whose is even remotely interested in literature, foreign policy, or just the world beyond the U.S.
I want to give a special thank you to Joan Gillings, whose support through the Transatlantic Scholarship allowed me to have such an unforgettable experience in London. Ms. Gillings is an amazing sponsor of the program and I know that me and my classmates experience would not have been half as great without her help.”
Allie Cauley
“When I made the decision to travel to study abroad in London, I had no idea what was in store for me. I had never travelled outside of the United States on my own, and six weeks in another country was a daunting thought! Even though I was in the heart of one of the biggest cities in the world, I immediately felt at home in our living spaces because I was surrounded by my friends and peers from UNC. Although London is a city undoubtedly filled with timeless attractions and opportunity, our class would not have been exposed to the many educational experiences we were fortunate enough to enjoy if not for the incredible generosity of Ms. Joan Gillings and the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED). Personally, my favorite experience of the trip was meeting Dr. Sue Brunning, the curator of the European Early Medieval and Sutton Hoo collections at the British Museum. After learning important facts of the collections themselves, we were allowed to join Dr. Brunning in the basement of the British Museum, which is usually not open to the public. Waiting for us in the basement was an astonishing collection of Anglo-Saxon artifacts - some of which date to over a thousand years ago. If that wasn’t exciting enough, we were allowed to hold all of the artifacts while Dr. Brunning explained the history and significance of each piece we held. I cannot explain how grateful I felt for the opportunities our class had during this study abroad trip as I left the basement of the British Museum. Every time a friend of mine mentions wanting to study abroad, I always recommend this program, regardless of their major. Even if Anglo-Saxon artifacts don’t fall within your interests, TFED made it possible for us to visit a multitude of diplomatic and political offices within London such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and RUSI (Royal United Services Institute). Because of these opportunities, studying abroad in London was one of the best experiences of my life, and I truly can’t wait to visit some day soon!”
Lucy Smith 2018
“I was so lucky take the semester-long Epic, Empire, and Diplomacy course last spring, as well as join TFED in London for an independent study the following summer. By far the best part of both experiences was the time we spent talking to, and learning from Sir Christopher Meyer. Sir Christopher is the former British Ambassador to the United States, as well as an accomplished author and seasoned diplomat. We were able to Skype with him weekly during the Spring semester and hear his take on the hot button issues of the moment. We had the chance to discuss and ask him questions, which was so informative and meaningful. During the summer study abroad in London, we met Sir Christopher and attended several amazing international relations field trips that wouldn’t have been possible without his generous help in setting them up. My favorite trip was the tour of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where we met with Sir Simon McDonald, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCO. We discussed challenges facing the UK, including post-colonial development, immigration, and Brexit – all taking place in an intimate, forum setting where we could ask Sir Simon our questions. I am so thankful for TFED and Sir Christopher, and all the wonderful opportunities they have afforded us.”
Edward Yanez 2018
I am a College of Social Studies major at Wesleyan University and Army Veteran who attended UNC’s Literature and Diplomacy program at King's College London. I chose UNC’s Literature and Diplomacy program over the traditional summer programs offered by my home university because the alternative programs consisted solely of classroom discussions. In contrast, Professor Ted Leinbaugh held classes at various locations throughout London, including the British Museum, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Royal United Services Institute. At each of these sites, we met with carefully selected experts who utilized their firsthand knowledge in literature and diplomacy to create a unique learning environment that exemplified what travel abroad programs ought to be.
My favorite event was when we visited the British Museum to meet with classicist and author Sam Moorhead. This visit culminated in Dr. Moorhead discussing the Elgin Marbles while guiding the class around the British Museum’s Greek Parthenon exhibit. My previous experiences studying artifacts were all confined to the classroom. Therefore, having the original subject of discussion in front of me, and then discussing its historical significance with a world-renowned expert, was an unparalleled learning experience. The program also facilitated sustained learning. One-on-one mentorship was fostered through informal coffee shop sessions with guest lecturers, such as Dr. David Stuttard from the British Museum, which I found invaluable in my military career but often lacking in civilian education.
The Epic, Empire and Diplomacy course syllabus included historically significant and intellectually stimulating texts, such as Beowulf and the Iliad, texts that were perfectly complemented by Professor Leinbaugh’s engaging and passionate lecturing style. Studying literature and diplomacy in London, a global cultural and economic hub, created an extraordinary opportunity for my personal and intellectual growth. As a veteran, I especially want to thank Joan Gillings, who works tirelessly as TFED’s Foundation Director to support veterans in higher education
Lauren Trull 2018
In Dr. Ted Leinbaugh's course, ‘Epic, Empire, and Diplomacy,’ my classmates and I studied epic literature alongside contemporary politics. Dr. Leinbaugh encouraged us to make real world connections to the literature that we read, contextualizing ancient stories with modern political realism and vice versa. We were able to explore the ancient roots of London while engaging with some of the world's leading academics and diplomats, including Dr. Sam Moorhead, Dr. David Stuttard, and Sir Christopher Meyer. In particular, the most memorable class was a lecture through the Early European Medieval Collection of the British Museum led by Dr. Sue Brunning. Following her lecture, we had the rare opportunity to hold and observe thousand-year old Anglo-Saxon artifacts. Personally, the medieval swords and detailed jewelry displayed were incredibly intriguing, due to how clearly these artifacts related to events described in the literature we studied.
TFED is an organization that I am proud to be a part of. Through studying in London, I developed an appreciation for epic literature, while developing friendships with like-minded and goal-oriented people I might not have otherwise met. I was also fortunate to receive the Joan Heckler Gillings Transatlantic Scholarship, which proved extremely helpful in addressing the costs of studying abroad. UNC Literature and Diplomacy at King’s College London is a program concerned with the success of its students, and I recommend it to any peer with a desire to discover something new. "
“Last summer, I was given the opportunity to study abroad in London for six weeks with UNC Literature and Diplomacy at King’s College London, put on by the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED). Since it was my first time venturing outside of the United States, this course enabled me to push myself outside my comfort zone. I learned to adapt and develop in a new, foreign environment - not only improving my understanding of history and policy but igniting my passion for these topics and introducing me to fresh perspectives.
Carolina Fowler 2018
All of these experiences were once in a lifetime, but above any poignant memory, I will cherish the passion for the transatlantic relationship these experiences gave me. TFED and my summer abroad taught me the importance of diplomatic ties and bestowed upon me a fascination with European politics. This love, and the experience my TFED internship has given me, has landed me in DC at the German Marshall Fund of the US, an international think tank whose motto is “strengthening transatlantic cooperation.” I am interning in their Future of Geopolitics Program, where I am helping to analyze the future of US and European diplomatic ties based on current geopolitical trends. I have only been here about a month, but already feel my passion and intellectual curiosity for European politics intersecting with my professional experience – both of which I owe to TFED. My summer abroad gave me the direction I otherwise would have never found, and my internship with TFED gave me invaluable and marketable skills that I rely on each day. Without TFED, my life would look drastically different.”
“In short, my summer in London at KCL with TFED changed my life. My classmates have attested to the highly impressive people we met with during our time in London, from the permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald, to the RUSI Director-General Karin von Hippel. We visited the House of Commons at Parliament and even took a class from a former ambassador. Even though I was in middle of all of it, it’s sometimes hard to believe our agenda was real. TFED was able to do in six weeks what my education had failed to accomplish for over twelve years – it made politics tangible and foreign relations feel relevant.
Meet Carolina Fowler, this week’s #TestimonialTuesday! She is a junior double majoring in PWAD and Global Studies and minoring in Philosophy. She was a part of the inaugural TFED trip to London with the Literature and Diplomacy program, and has been interning with TFED ever since.
Victoria Friedlander 2018
This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad through The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy. In six weeks, I took two courses: Epic, Empire and Diplomacy taught by TFED's Professor Ted Leinbaugh, OBE PhD, and Sir Christopher Meyer, KCMG, and British Common Law, taught by a member of the wonderful faculty at King's College London.
Through this program, I was able to experience UK politics, diplomacy, and law as the country moves towards BREXIT. Under the tutelage of Sir Christopher Meyer, former UK ambassador to the US, I studied the intricacies of Britain exiting the European Union from a policy perspective, and through the Law faculty at King's College London I gained greater appreciation for the legal issues that apply to BREXIT. We also interacted with politicians, diplomats, think-tanks, media figures, and lawyers, hearing their take on a variety of hot button issues.
I could go on and on about why this program is so special, but I’ll restrict myself to just this: There are very few times in life where we can pinpoint when a distinct change occurs. As a senior graduating in May, my goals post-graduation, as well as my passion for international affairs and diplomacy, were founded and fostered through this program—it truly changed my life.
Myles Lukert 2018
“Last summer, I studied abroad in London through Dr. Leinbaugh’s UNC-King’s College London program, which featured his course “Epic, Empire, and Diplomacy.” The program partnered with the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED). As a financially independent student, I was lucky enough to receive the Joan Heckler Gillings TransAtlantic Scholarship, which helped alleviate the financial burden of studying abroad.
This UNC-KCL Study Abroad program, together with the partnership with TFED, allowed me to make professional connections that I couldn’t conceive of forming any other way. I received academic mentorship from Dr. Sam Moorhead, an eminent historian of ancient Rome. I discussed current events in real time with Sir Christopher Meyer, the former British ambassador to the US. Connections through TFED also allowed me to participate in a briefing at the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) with Sir Simon McDonald, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCO and the Head of the Diplomatic Service, to attend a forum with the Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, and to take a private tour of Parliament.
TFED is an organization that I take a lot of pride in contributing to. Not only does it invest in diplomatic relations between the US and the UK, but TFED also invests in the students that it engages with. Studying abroad in London has come to define my last semester here at UNC and has guided my choice of study both for graduate school and for my professional direction.”