Old Boy Joshua Payne (2021), pictured, is a 2024 recipient of the Churchie Foundation ‘Overseas Study Scholarship for Old Boys’. He recently attended Michigan State University and has penned the following recollections of his experience.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to do an exchange semester in America, due to a love of US sports and the culture surrounding living on a college campus. With no particular college preference, already owning a Michigan State University (MSU) t-shirt was reason enough for me to put that school as my number 1 choice, and it turned out to be the best decision. East Lansing, Michigan, is a vibrant college town with amazing facilities, rich history, and a passionate fan base. As an aspiring sports journalist, it was a dream destination.

In my first week, when 75,000 fans filled Spartan Stadium for a football game against a small school, I quickly discovered that Michigan State athletics is intense, which was hard to comprehend having come from an Australian university. The stadium's alternating school colors and the "Go Green, Go White" chant were unforgettable. Basketball, my main sport, was profound here, led by legendary coach Tom Izzo and alumni like Magic Johnson and Draymond Green.

MSU offers unique classes not available in Australia. My favourite was a broadcasting class with a studio resembling a Channel 10 news studio, where assignments included weather reports and news desk pieces all in front of studio cameras, which I felt was an amazing way to introduce students into the real world of the industry. The highly qualified teachers, including one with 40 Emmys, provided an exceptional learning environment, helping me achieve a 3.8 GPA. The social experience was incomparable, living on campus allowed me to make lasting friendships and participate in various activities. Friends taught me to ice skate, drive on the other side of the road, and invited me home for Thanksgiving. These friendships were so strong that some are visiting Australia soon.

Overall, it was a lifetime experience that I wholeheartedly recommend.

This year Churchie Foundation is again awarding the Overseas Study Scholarships for Old Boys. Applications are now invited from Old Boys and current Year 12 students wishing to attend colleges or universities in the UK or USA. The application process will close on Friday 31 May. To find out more information and/or apply for a scholarship, please Michigan State University

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