Gray Zeisse, a second-year 国产短视频 (USF) student majoring in biomedical
sciences, has been selected to participate in the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program
at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Zeisse, a member of USF鈥檚 College of
Arts and Sciences and Judy Genshaft Honors College, is one of only five U.S. students
selected this year for the St. Andrews Summer Institute.
The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are three-to-four-week fully funded programs for
U.S. undergraduate students who have little to no travel experience outside North
America. Accepted students will spend three weeks in Scotland, where they will examine
the country鈥檚 rich history while experiencing higher education at a U.K. university.
Scotland鈥檚 History 鈥� Kingdom, Nation, People
At the University of St. Andrews, Zeisse will learn from world-renowned lecturers and professors through an immersive course, Scotland's History: Kingdom, Nation, People, which explores the development of Scotland鈥檚 identity and how the country has maintained a strong, evolving sense of its past 鈥� both as an independent state and as part of the United Kingdom. Learning will take place both inside and outside of the classroom, as this program integrates field trips and environmental learning into the curriculum.
The program includes excursions to famous cities and stunning landscapes, incorporating cultural and social activities that will allow Zeisse to experience Scotland鈥檚 culture. Students will have opportunities to explore the campus, and the surrounding area of St. Andrews, Scotland. Past UK Fulbright Summer Institute excursions have included locations such as Dunnottar Castle, Falkland Palace, and major museums such as the Perth Museum, and the National Museum in Edinburgh.
Applying for the Institute
One of the main reasons Zeisse chose to study in Scotland and apply for the Fulbright
UK Summer Institute Program is because of their Scottish heritage.
鈥淔or most of his life, my grandfather thought he was Irish. It wasn鈥檛 until a trip
to Ireland that he discovered he was actually Scottish. Even though he still maintains
to this day that he is Irish, this complexity of identities led me to start learning
more about Scotland and its history.鈥�
Zeisse was further motivated to apply for the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program
after speaking with previous Summer Institute recipient Avani Sanghvi about their
experience working with USF鈥檚 Office of National Scholars (ONS): 鈥淎fter some reflection
and seeing the call for applications in the Honors newsletter, the Honor Roll, I decided
to apply to the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program for the St. Andrews Institute.鈥�
The Office of National Scholars provided Zeisse with guidance on application materials
and the opportunity to participate in a mock interview. Zeisse credits this mentorship
and guidance as foundational not only to the Fulbright application, but also to their
personal development.
鈥淭he best part was how attentive and responsive Dr. Sayandeb Basu and Ms. Lauren Chambers
were regarding my application materials. They gave great guidance throughout the whole
process and helped me grow as an individual.鈥�
Zeisse continued, 鈥淲hen I got the email notification, it was very early in the morning.
I ran upstairs to tell my mom, and I was ecstatic and surprised. I wasn鈥檛 sure if
I was going to be accepted but I am glad they viewed my application wholistically
and realized how my major could be beneficial to the institute.鈥�
Making the Most of the Experience
In examining Scottish history, Zeisse plans to learn from the citizens鈥� identities,
fostering connection and communication. In the future, Zeisse plans to attend medical
school to become a physician who advocates for their patients and provides high-quality,
empathetic, and identity-based health care.
This will be Zeisse鈥檚 first time travelling outside of the United States.
鈥淚 am very excited to be immersed in the culture of Scotland and have conversations
with people from all over the world. I want to understand the world in a deep and
meaningful way, and I can鈥檛 wait to start that journey,鈥� said Zeisse.
Zeisse currently serves as a Peer Mentor Lead in the Judy Genshaft Honors College,
developing curriculum for the Honors Foundations course and preparing a team of undergraduate
Peer Mentors to teach the course. Zeisse also serves as the Lead Clinical Volunteer
for the Pioneer Medical Foundation, where they lead pro-bono orthopedic clinics and
contribute to data analysis on patient demographics and medication stock.
鈥淕ray will experience an unparalleled academic and cultural program and is poised
to return to 国产短视频as someone who will take this experience forward with them in their
future profession,鈥� said Lauren Chambers, associate director of ONS. 鈥淭his program
will have lasting impacts on Gray, their community in Scotland, and their community
at 国产短视频when they return.鈥�
Zeisse is the third consecutive 国产短视频student in three years chosen to participate in
the prestigious Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program.
Students interested in the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program should contact the Office of National Scholars today.