By Allison Pace
A stately, snow-capped chapel rose into view on the hilltop, framed by the rolling hills of southern Germany and the soft glow of hundreds of candles lining the path ahead. It was late on Christmas night, and the stillness of the scene felt like something out of a storybook.
As Gerald “Chip” Kunde, II made his way up the quiet village street as a young boy, taking in the stillness and beauty around him, one thought stirred in his mind: “Who gets to do this?”
Though far from his first time abroad, the moment etched itself in Kunde’s memory as a reminder of how powerful exploration can be. The son of a military colonel, he moved 13 times by the age of 18, living across the United States and even spending two of his high school years in London. While the constant change brought some challenges, Kunde chose to see each move as an opportunity to experience something new and to learn from every place he called home.
As a student at the University of Florida, Kunde quickly discovered a passion for public affairs. After graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., to pursue a master’s degree and launch a career in government relations. He went on to work as a lobbyist for several notable corporations, including Darden Restaurants and Sysco.
His current role as senior vice president of institutional affairs and corporate communications for Ferrero gives him the chance to combine his passion for public policy with his interest in travel. With Ferrero offices spread all over the U.S. and around the world, he may find himself in Chicago one week and Geneva the next. For Kunde, each trip is still a chance for a new adventure. And yet, no matter where in the world his work takes him, one constant has remained: Kunde has never stopped giving back to UF.
A few years ago, when given the opportunity to speak with current students, Kunde noticed something. While many were curious about his career, just as many were captivated by his stories of travel. He wanted to make those kinds of experiences more accessible. That desire led him to establish the Gerald R. Kunde, II Study Abroad Scholarship in partnership with the Center for European Studies. Each year, the award provides financial support to three students for study abroad experiences and experiential learning in Europe. For Kunde, the “art of exploration” is essential, and he is committed to helping students experience it for themselves.
Last summer, this opportunity translated into a life-changing experience for Isabella Acevedo, a third-year political science major. The scholarship gave her the chance to spend eight weeks in Dublin, Ireland. Freed from financial constraints, she was able to “focus fully on [her] professional and personal development.”
During her time abroad, Acevedo interned with a professor at Dublin City University. She contributed to the MARGISTAR initiative, an EU program that combines public policy and environmental conservation. Through her work with data collection, workshop coding and industry writing, she was able to make a real impact while sharpening her skillset and deepening her passion for equity and community empowerment.
Acevedo embraced all that Ireland had to offer. She played traditional Gaelic games in Cork, watched the waves beat along the Cliffs of Moher, and embraced the country’s lively spirit through moments of community and cultural tradition.
For Acevedo, the experience ultimately came down to one thing: “The most significant lesson was gaining confidence in myself — confidence to move to another country, professional confidence in my abilities and confidence to embrace uncertainty.”
For Kunde, that self-discovery is exactly the point. He believes travel pushes people beyond what’s comfortable, encourages them to try new things, connects them with others and allows them to see the world from a different perspective. More than anything, he values that no two experiences are ever the same; each person takes something uniquely their own from time spent abroad.
As Kunde reflects, “it’s like the walk up the hill to the church, you just never forget what that experience is like; it lives with you.” 
