This year marks a special milestone for the Overseas Study Scholarship program, which was founded in 1992 by a charitable trust established by the family of an Old Boy. At the upcoming OBA Annual Dinner on Friday 29 August, the Churchie Foundation will be awarding the 100th scholarship to an Old Boy. Below is an account from Old Boy Charles Smith (2005) on his experience as a scholarship recipient.

What started as a far-fetched idea quickly turned into reality as I jetted off to Europe in September 2013. Having graduated with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering in 2009, like many other new graduates, I found employment in the Queensland resource sector. Looking for a new challenge and a chance to enter the space industry, I applied for the Erasmus Mundus “Spacemaster” dual Master in Space Science and Technology. This unique program is a 2-year course where students have the opportunity to study in at least two countries, the first year taking place in Germany and arctic Sweden, and the second year offering further options to study in the UK, the USA, France, the Czech Republic, Finland or Japan. I thought it sounded exciting, but I had no idea whether I would gain a place in the course with applicants from all corners of the globe.  I took the plunge, was accepted, and two years later can easily say it was the best decision I have made!

With topics including astrophysics, control theory, optics, interactions with the space environment and space instrumentation, I was presented with a range of challenging and always-interesting tasks. However, just as importantly, I found the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures and languages with people from Azerbaijan to Peru (and everywhere in between) equally, if not more, enriching. From watching the Aurora Borealis dance across the skies in arctic Sweden, to being in the heart of the aerospace hub of Toulouse in southern France, this course has provided me with experiences that I am sure will greatly benefit me in my future both personally and professionally in the space industry.  These experiences have opened up my mind to opportunities and challenges which seemed unreachable from Brisbane.

The Overseas Study Scholarship provided me with invaluable support during my time abroad and I thoroughly encourage everyone to consider further education outside Australia. My advice to fellow Old Boys and current Churchie students is not to limit yourself but to get out of your comfort zone and enjoy the challenge!