FIRST, HOW DID WE GET HERE?

My journey to becoming a Rotary Global Grant Scholar started many years ago. After graduating West Point in 2013, it was a matter of biding my time until I could take a year to complete a Master's program abroad.

That time came very conveniently at the end of Sean's Basic Training Command time at Fort Benning, Georgia. After making connections with the North Columbus Rotary Club, I entered the competition for the Global Grant Scholarship in the Fall of 2018. He was chosen as a finalist for the program and began the process of applying to King's College of London and confirming approval from the Army.

Upon receiving approval from all agencies involved in January 2019, I decided to pursue the one-year masters degree program through King's College London studying International Peace and Security Master of Arts in the War Studies Department. This MA falls under the Rotary focus area of Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention.

In February of 2019, Amy and I were married in Charleston, South Carolina. We moved Amy's belongings from SC to Fort Benning, GA in March where I was enrolled in Captain's Career Course until August. At the end of August, all of our household goods were either packed for storage in GA or prepped for shipping to the UK.

OUR SEPTEMBER ADVENTURES

I am happy to report that the Mintons arrived in the United Kingdom on 1 SEPT 2019 after a smooth "red-eye" flight from Atlanta, GA.

The first few weeks included settling into temporary housing, touring the city with the 10-day London Pass, and getting to know the ins-and-outs of public transportation.

But it has not been all fun and games for the first month! I visited my first meeting at the Rotary Club of London (the Rotary Global Grant host club), attended the compulsory induction sessions at King's College of London, and attended the first day of classes on 19 SEPT.

September also included moving into a permanent London flat, getting utilities set up, and learning all of the local amenities (library, grocery store, coffee shops, etc.)

Though Amy was not able to continue her full-time online teaching job while moving overseas, she will have many things to fill her time. Once the house in cleaned and settled, she will focus on doing some copy editing work online while pursuing possible part time jobs in the area

AND WHAT’S NEXT?

Sean and Amy are looking forward to what is ahead in October:

• Continuing classes at KCL
• Attending a District Welcome Tea and Orientation for London Rotary Scholars
• Taking part in the Rotary District Conference in Bournemouth, England
• Visiting Stonehenge and Bath with a KCL student group
• Getting unpacked and settled into the flat