Global Scholar Aanchal Thadani THANKS 1.2M rotarians
Big Wig Ed's friend, Bill Davis Rotary Cadre Technical Advisor The Rotary Foundation 2016-2020 Scholarship co-chair D 5890 2016-2021
Member Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area (formerly Humble) Honorary member R.C. of San Jose de Cucuta, Colombia Honorary member R.C. of San Jose de Cucuta II, Colombia recently sent me the following message.
Rotary Global Scholar Aanchal Thadani – update from London.Aanchal is a student at Baylor College of Medicine, class of 2024, pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine.
She was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to Texas to attend Baylor University where see earned a Bachelors Degree in Medical Humanities.
Aanchal will earn a Master of Science in International Health Policy at London School of Economics and Political Science.
She is sponsored by the R. C. of Pasadena, (Bill Barmore,) in District 5890 in Texas and is hosted by R.C, of Harrow in London.
Aanchal wishes to thank the 1.2 million Rotarians around the world who contributed to The Rotary Foundation which funded her scholarship.
Dear Rotary Family,
My goodness it’s incredible how time flies! We are almost at the end of our first term and the
assessments are looming. My first few months here have been more than I could have
dreamed. I am so fortunate to have not only landed in the perfect program for my future career
goals, but also surrounded by people who embody the purest forms of kindness and altruistic
ambition. I don’t even know where to start this recap!
I am so very grateful for it all – the coursework that I hoped to be engaged in, the professors
and mentors who take the time to shepherd me,......
the space to explore new interests andhobbies. London very much feels like home now. The routines have been established, the
favorite cafes have been pinned down, the gym routine refined, and the community
expanding! The long hours of lectures, seminars and reading have been spotted with day trips
to explore England, long walks around the city, pastry tastings at the local markets, and hosting
friends over for special holidays. My flat mate and I hosted Diwali and Thanksgiving this year!
The house very much feels like a home when you get to feed people you love.
Outside of school, I have been taking boxing and dance classes! Friends, it is so hard and so
much fun! It’s quite funny because as someone who has been powerlifting for almost a decade,
I walked into the boxing lessons thinking it would be ‘no big deal’ – boy, was I wrong. It has
been an incredible and wanted challenge. How fortunate I am to get the opportunity to push
myself in new ways!
Now we are settling into the English winter. The skies become darker earlier and the days grow
wetter – my little African heart is taking it’s time to adjust. But London really does dress up for
Christmas so the lights, special markets, and warm beverages do wonders to make the weather
manageable.
I am so grateful for all that I have been able to see and do, yet I know there is so much more to
explore! My Rotary family, I could not possibly thank you enough. I know this year isn’t even
half way over but even now it has been an unparalleled experience. There are seemingly small
moments gathered over the past 10 weeks that I am still working to properly digest – passing
conversations, small segments of readings, mini revelations on long walks through a bustling
city, brief spaces of self-reflection. I suppose this is as crucial a part of this experience as the
degree program. Thanks to your support, kindness, and guidance – I am finding room to
become a fuller version of myself. Please know that I fully intend to use all that I have gathered
(hard skills in course work, and soft ones in fringes of time around) to be a more competent
servant leader. Thank you for making this dream a reality.
With warmth,
Aanchal