Old Boy Shaun Milligan (2012), pictured, is a 2022 recipient of the Churchie Foundation ‘Scholarship for Old Boys’. He recently attended Magdalen College at the University of Oxford and has penned the following recollections of his experience.

I recently had the privilege of completing a year-long postgraduate Bachelor of Civil Law at Magdalen College, University of Oxford. Pursuing this world-renowned degree would not have been possible without the help of the Churchie Foundation Overseas Study Scholarship for Old Boys, which helped provide the necessary financial support to make this dream a reality. My passion for law began in year 11 at Churchie when I first undertook legal studies. This experience set the foundation for my path to studying law at Oxford a decade later.

Magdalen College is a truly special place to study. The College boasts stunning architecture and grounds including its very own deer park. With a history dating back over 500 years, I was able to follow in the footsteps of influential figures such as Oscar Wilde, Lawrence of Arabia and C.S. Lewis. It was incredible to be a part of this rich history and to be surrounded by such beautiful and inspiring surroundings on a daily basis.

During my time at Oxford, I studied public and private international law with a particular focus on business and human rights. These subjects were taught by some of the world's leading academics in their respective fields. I was constantly challenged and inspired by my professors and classmates, and I feel grateful to have had the chance to learn from such a talented and diverse group of individuals. I was also fortunate to participate in a public international law moot judged by Professor Harold Hongju Koh, the former Dean of Yale Law School and legal adviser of the U.S. Department of State in the Obama administration. My mooting partner and I were thrilled to come away as the winners of this competition, and it was a highlight of my time at Oxford.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I also took advantage of all that Oxford has to offer, immersing myself in the rich culture and history of the city and taking part in the many extracurricular opportunities that were available to me. I attended numerous Oxford Union debates and speaker events, including talks by notable figures such as Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, George Brandis KC, then High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former Attorney-General of Australia, and Beatrice Fihn, winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. I also participated in various clubs and societies, made lasting friendships with people from all over the world, and even had the chance to travel to other parts of the UK and Europe during the year.

Overall, my time at Oxford was an incredible and transformative experience. I am grateful for the support of the Churchie Old Boys’ Association and the Churchie Foundation in helping to make this experience possible, and I would not hesitate to recommend the Overseas Study Scholarship to any other Churchie Old Boy considering studying abroad. The personal and academic growth that comes with studying in a new country is truly unparalleled, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to take advantage of it.

This year Churchie Foundation is again awarding the Old Boys Overseas Study Scholarships. Applications are now invited from Old Boys and current Year 12 students wishing to attend colleges or universities in the UK or USA. The application process will close on Wednesday 31 May. To find out more information and/or apply for a scholarship then please click here.