The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel held their weekly meeting on October 7, 2015, at their venue, Stage Left. This week Ally Vincent, a Rotary Global Scholar, talked about her Rotary Experiences. The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel’s meetings are every Wednesday at Noon, at Stage Left, 24400 S. R. 54 Lutz, FL, 33544.

By: Alexandria “Ally” Vincent

I graduated from Saint Leo University with honors and my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Unlike most of my fellow graduates, I had no idea if I would teach or go to graduate school upon completion of my graduation. I celebrated my graduation by going on a service trip to West Virginia with some sorority sisters. I anxiously checked my email every day, until I had received the email I was waiting for. The email stated that I was awarded the Rotary Global Grant to study Inclusive and Special Education at the University of Edinburgh, totaling in $45,500!! I was overwhelmed and excited. I would be going to a country that I have never been to. I would be expanding my horizons with Rotary. I would be living a whole different life.

Three months later, my bags were packed and I had to say good-bye to the Sunshine State. I soon moved in my flat (apartment) in Edinburgh which was situated on the Royal Mile and on the ninth floor. I shared my flat with one girl from the United States. As I unpacked my bags and made my flat feel like home, I felt comfort and ease. I knew this was where I was supposed to be. My first full day in Scotland, I was volunteering at the Village Fair with my host Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Portobello. This was great way for me to get to know some of the members, the currency, and the culture. The Rotary Club of Portobello became my family. I attended their meetings on a weekly basis, attended fundraising events, and social activities. They always welcomed me with open arms and never made me feel uneasy. They made my transition to Edinburgh simple, and they made saying ‘good-bye’ difficult.

As I grew with the life in Scotland, I also grew within the Rotary District 1020. I had presented to twenty clubs during my time over there. This gave me the opportunity to see and experience different parts of the country that I may not have had the opportunity to do so. It gave me opportunity to see and live Rotary in a different fashion, as well. I also had the chance to go to the District conference, which took place in the Highlands for the weekend. It was a great weekend to spend time with my fellow Rotary scholars and to experience the culture. We ate haggis, neeps, tatties, and black pudding. We participated in ceilidh dancing. It was a weekend I will never forget. I also had the grand opportunity of serving as a mentor for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). It was a week away in the highlands with five other mentors and thirty-three teenage girls, building leadership and teamwork. We built rafts, climbed mountains, climbed rock walls, canoed in the rapids, camped, and built lifetime memories. With each day that passed, the teenage girls amazed me by their motivation, determination, and team work.

One year went by quickly, much quicker than I had hoped. It was soon time for me to move out of my humble flat and to say ‘good-bye’ to all of the friends I had made during the year. The last couple weeks of my time in Edinburgh, I really embraced every moment. I went for long walks around the city just breathing in the air and taking in the sites. I ate at my favorite restaurants for one last time, and I completed items on my bucket list like going on sunrise hikes. I soon returned to my Mum’s house in Crystal River, FL where I truly believe the last year abroad was all just a dream.