Old Boy Boston Freestone (2015), pictured, is a 2020 recipient of the Churchie Foundation ‘Overseas Study Scholarship for Old Boys’. He recently attended the University of Roehampton and has penned the following recollections of his experience.

Although the 2020 world-wide COVID-19 travel restrictions dimmed my hopes and dreams of studying a Masters of Sport and Exercise Physiology in London, it was the Churchie Foundation Overseas Study Scholarship that allowed for certainty during such times of uncertainty. Having success after the rigorous selection process I dared to set off in September 2020 to the London city-based campus of the University of Roehampton – or as I call it ‘54-acres of parkland bliss amongst the dense concrete jungle’.

The parkland campus was my playground during the 2020/21 London winter lockdowns and the University staffs’ exceptional support facilitated my academic achievements. The campus was also located only a short distance to London’s largest city park – Richmond Park – where the badgers, rabbits, red and fallow deer and red squirrels roamed free. Truthfully, it was a pleasant change to the resident bats and crows at Churchie. The diverse ethnic backgrounds of roommates in my university halls allowed me to be exposed to the many different experiences including: the Ballet at Sadler’s Wells, devouring Chinese Hot Pot in Oxford Circus, the Natural History Museum, riding the London Underground, seeing snow fall outside my window, 4th of July night with the Yanks and St. Patrick’s day with the Irish. Ironically, my experiences at Roehampton felt alike to my experiences at Churchie. It is without a doubt that the beliefs of the Churchie Old Boys’ Association and financial support through the Churchie Foundation for the Overseas Study Scholarship allowed my dream to come to true.

I would be lying to say that my adventure to the UK was easy and smooth sailing. However, to any Churchie Old Boy seeking eustress (from the Greek eu- meaning ‘good’) and eudaimonia (roughly translated as ‘fulfillment’) by studying at any UK/USA University, I greatly encourage them to apply for the Overseas Study Scholarship to assist with accomplishing their own versions of eustress and eudaimonia by studying overseas.

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 Tuesday 31 May 2022. To find out more information, please click here. To apply for a scholarship please click here.