This year is quickly coming to a close. I was speaking to a few Rotarians last week and they were telling me they have already received a few scholars for next year. Well, I guess this year now. I knew this year would be over just as it had begun.

A lot has happened in this year. As of today, my dissertation is submitted, and I have completed all that was asked of me in my academic endeavors to obtain a Master’s degree in Creative Producing for Film/TV. Honestly, a year fells short for this achievement. I hear the same echos from other ambassadorial scholars. From an academic perspective I do feel like I have just gotten to a place where I can really take myself further. Maybe this is a good place to be now that I need to enter back into the ‘real world.’ I have gained a tremendous amount of skills and knowledge during the year. I was pleased with all my marks, and even received a “Distinction” for one of my projects. If I get the same mark on my dissertation I will graduate with a Distinction (I think), which will be wonderful on my CV. Professionally, there have already been some opportunities that I have seen from my studies. I was assigned a mentor over the summer to discuss future endeavors and aspirations. I have gotten really interested in business and distribution strategies, and she help me get in touch with certain people. I was also offered an opportunity to turn my dissertation topic into a documentary with my  mentor producing. I am in the process of developing this with her, and hopefully something will come of it. I am also seeing Rotary appreciate the skills I have gained in studying film, and have been asked again to work on a video for the 1020 District Conference at the end of October. I also did a video for the conference last year of all the current Ambassadorial Scholars studying in Edinburgh. I am happy that I am able to contribute to Rotary using the skills they helped sponsor. It almost feels like a circle has been completed.

Academically, I am 80% satisfied. Part of me does wish I could have a bit longer in the program because I came to know so much of myself and saw my skills start to develop. But I also suspect the remaining 20% is laced with fear of stepping out on my own to try and accomplish my dreams.

It has been so wonderful living in Edinburgh for the past year. I have really enjoyed the tight-knit community that Rotary has up here. I was able to see several Rotarians many occasions, and felt that I really was able to establish a nice relationship with them. One of my favorite Rotary activities that I participated in this year, was myself and three other scholars coordinated a trip up to Stornoway, which is a far north island of Scotland, to visit with the local Rotary club and do a speech. They rarely see Ambassadorial Scholars, and it was wonderful to get to visit with the group. They were so welcoming and kind, and really exemplified Scottish Hospitality. This trip really allowed me to see the fellowship and wonderful entity that Rotary International truly emits. And it must be said that the landscape traveling to and in Stornoway was absolutely breath-taking and unlike any other place I have been in the world. I will always remember this trip.

The other momentous event I participated in was a fundraiser dinner the Edinburgh scholars put on for Maggie’s Centres, which are free cancer counseling centres close to hospitals for cancer patients and their family members. When we first started looking for a charity to support and project to do for Rotary, a Rotarian mentioned Maggie’s to us. We went to go visit the Edinburgh Centre and all became really passionate about doing what we could to help. The biggest need Maggie’s has is funding, they are completely donation-based. We decided we would do a dinner for Maggie’s along with an auction/raffle. We were also able to set up a matching grant through a few clubs back in the US. It was a full 6 months of planning, but we pulled it off. Some Rotarians weren’t sure if we would, and I guess they did have some reasons to be nervous because a lot of money was vested. Overall we had 80+ people in attendance and raised £2,000. It was a huge success and everyone was very happy with the evening. Marion, who was Maggie’s representative, was so touched and happy that we chose to help. It was an enjoyable evening, but more so it was an evening of service and goodwill. And it made me proud to be part of the Ambassadorial Scholars.

I have happily explained my scholarship to many of my colleagues at school, my friends in Edinburgh and to my family back home. Everyone is very impressed with the magnitude and opportunity that this scholarship provides. My description is simple: Ambassadorial Scholarships are a life changing experience that send you to study what and where you like, and provide a community base for you to lean on. I know that the motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self”, but serving become contagious once you are around Rotary clubs. I was always amazed at how much each club does serve, and it sets an inspiring example of wanting to serve along with them. To become an Ambassadorial Scholar to visit and interact with these clubs, its impossible not to want to participate and do goodwill. And this I think is the biggest strength Rotary International boasts. The clubs and fellowship with each other under the guise of servitude allows “Service Above Self” to echo at all the clubs over the world.

The main training of being an Ambassadorial Scholar I received was based on presentations. This is important to cover because your main interactions, especially at the start, are through presentations. It gives the Rotary clubs a chance to get to know you, and it really is an ice-breaker. I would maintain that the training I received was helpful, and correct to focus on presentations.

I would advise future Ambassadorial Scholars to approach their year abroad with an open heart and head. It is never what you expect it to be. Also take advantage of traveling to meet Rotary clubs and do presentations. Some of my most special memories I have of this year are from Rotary dinners and presentations that I did. It is the best way to meet with fellow Rotarians and learn more about the foundation. I became quite close with the other scholars as well, and I am so happy we became such good friends. We were able to experience Rotary together, many of us from different countries, but the bond that it provided created life long friends.

I honestly didn’t feel too many cultural differences living in Scotland. The western world is becoming more and more homogenized and it was easy to find several of the comforts of home. The only two things I had to get used to were the weather and haggis. But this isn’t to say that I didn’t fully embrace all things Scottish and I really made an effort to travel around the country. I have seen some of the most amazing landscapes, and there really is a magical quality to this land.

For Rotary, my host and sponsor clubs, I have nothing but gratitude. It has been such a welcoming, warming and eye-opening experience, and it has changed my life. From the moment I got here I was welcomed with a warm smile and open arms. Rotarians are a beautiful class of people and truly are changing the world. I will always respect and carry my experience of an Ambassadorial Scholar with pride.

I would love to continue my involvement through Rotary in many different forms. I am always happy to do simple needs for them, like a video or any other media request. I would like to financially support Rotary International in their service projects (when I make money and pay off my student loans;) Any candidate that expresses a desire to live abroad and experience new cultures I will adamantly express the nature of this scholarship. Rotary has become a part of my life now. I know that I am not a member, and hope to be one day, but I will always carry its motto, its goodwill, and its fellowship with me wherever I go.

I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures and post them here! FLYER

Of course the most alluring and mystifying thing about the loch is the famous Monster Nessie. And I have to say, some pictures were taken that look a little suspicious…

Its the Monster!

Well I guess I should start from the beginning. Once again, I had my lovely Scottish tour guide, Malcolm take me up to Loch Ness. We had a really nice drive up there and this was our view most of the way:

Ah, landscape

The first thing we did when we got there was get on a boat and go visit this castle. The castle dates back to the 13th Century! And its also the place where Nessie keeps getting spotted.

Urquhart Castle

When we got there I looked for Nessie, but I couldn’t find her.

I'm not seeing anything suspicious...

We had a nice walk around and in the castle. We even stopped and posed for pictures.

Lord and Lady

Yeah, we’re clever.

We also did a bit of hiking around Glen Affric, which I kept mistakenly calling Ben Affleck. It was an absolutely beautiful hike, and when we got to the top, this was our view:

The Highlands are pretty.

The next day we did horseback riding before we left. It was a lot of fun, and it reminded me how much I enjoy riding horses. Well, I enjoy riding them when they don’t trot. Which we did – 4 times.

Getty up!

Me and Mr Coblett

I had the trusty and stable Mr Coblett – he didn’t do too much, just followed the group and occasionally ate some grass. Malcolm had Kelly the horse, who unfortunately refused to pose with Malcolm after the ride by head butting him in the stomach, so we only have this picture to remember the happier times between Malcolm and Kelly the horse.

Malcolm and Kelly

After the horse riding we went to tour a distillery, but they were pretty much closed so we began the journey back. It was a really fun trip and I have to admit there is something magical about Loch Ness. Its a beautiful part of Scotland and I think I’ll be heading back there when my parents come in July. Until then I’ll just have to leave it with this last picture we caught of Nessie before she descended into the depths.

Bye Nessie!

Last night I was celebrating a friend’s birthday. He is a great and bearded man who studies theology. And I thought I should test if I could go out for a drink and still keep to my newly dedicated risings. I am a bit worse for wear. But I’m up. I’m tired and cranky, and feel a bit nauseous, but birthdays come only once a year. Hope you had a happy birthday Evan (a fellow rotary scholar).