In 2024-25, District 5360 is supporting two Global Grant Scholarship recipients. Samaya Miller, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ely Hereward (District 1080) and sponsored by the Rotary Club of High River, is doing her MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge in England. Reeana Tazreean, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ipswich-Rowley (District 7930) and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Red Deer East, is doing her Master of Science in Bioethics at Harvard University in Massachusetts.
Samaya writes from England: “Hello Rotary at home! Cambridge is a dream. Every day, I find myself in awe of this city around me. I feel truly blessed to be here, from the ancient buildings to the passed-down traditions. Every day I stroll through narrow roads covered with cobblestone and over bridges looking down at the people punting on the River Cam (though I have yet to punt). And this is only one part of it. My course has been incredible! The people in my course all get along very well, and we have established weekly pub outings where we debate and discuss life and the state of the world (typical student convos, haha). I have met the most amazing people, and despite how intense this school is, I have people who really care for me, and together, we all help each other through it. I am currently in the process of writing my literature review for my dissertation and ½ of the essays I need to submit for my degree. If I am being honest, most of my time is spent doing schoolwork, but lucky for me, Cambridge and my college (Sidney Sussex) have a ton of events and formals in between. My Rotary Club here is about a 10-minute train ride from Cambridge in the cutest town called Ely. They have a massive Cathedral, and it feels like a movie village from the Medieval times. I recently attended an “Apple Day” event with my Rotary Club (although there were few apple stands, haha) and explored the town with my host counsellor. All in all, I cannot express my gratitude enough. This experience that Rotary has allowed me is truly a fairytale and I can’t wait to see what more I get to do while living here.”
Reeana writes from Massachusetts: “I have been having an academically challenging yet lovely time at Harvard! This semester, I learned about clinical and research ethics and cross-registered for classes at MIT and the Harvard Kennedy School. I will star in the Harvard-Radcliffe production of Aida: The Musical this week! I have been enjoying the New England fall season. I went apple picking and watched the beautiful leaves change colour. I celebrated my birthday at Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. I met with my Rotary host, Martha, over coffee, and it was wonderful! I will be staying over at her home in December. I am missing home quite a bit and will be back to visit during American Thanksgiving!”
For more information about this scholarship, visit the scholarship page on the district website: https://www.rotary5360.ca/page/global-scholarship-funding. If you are interested in helping select next year’s scholarship recipients, please email Hendrik Kraay, scholarship committee chair.
