Old Boy Samuel Elliott (2010), pictured, is a 2025 recipient of the Churchie Foundation ‘Overseas Study Scholarship for Old Boys’. He recently attended the University of Chicago Booth and has penned the following recollections of his experience.

Since graduating from Churchie in 2010, learning has remained a big part of my life. After completing a Bachelor of Science and Commerce with Honours, I began my career in consulting at Accenture and after several years leading large scale transformation programs, I chose to pursue an MBA to deepen my understanding of leadership, strategy and decision making.

When I began my MBA journey it was always a dream to be able to study in the US, but I didn’t expect to be selected for the top ranked MBA program in world at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In fact, reading ‘Nudge’ by Richard Thaler, a Nobel Prize winning faculty member at the University, was a key reason I chose to pursue an MBA. To later find myself studying in the same institution that helped shape his ideas felt surreal. Arriving on campus for the first time, it was immediately clear why Chicago holds such a unique place in the academic world. The campus is steeped in history with banners of Nobel laureates hanging from the rafters, emphasising the impact the university has had on global economics and policy.

To say I wasn’t intimidated would be a lie. Learning directly from the world’s best faculty and working with exceptional students from across the globe was both challenging and energising. However, as I settled in, I came to realise that some of the best learning happened outside the lectures. The conversations with classmates from different cultures and professional backgrounds, taught me the importance of diverse perspectives and ways of thinking. These new friendships built through challenging group projects remain one of the most meaningful parts of my experience.

My time in Chicago extended beyond the classroom. I have always loved American culture, having been a big fan of the NFL and NBA from a young age. I arrived just in time to embrace a Midwest winter and sought to immerse myself in the city’s culture, making sure to eat everything I could from deep dish pizza to Italian beef sandwiches. I was fortunate enough to experience several true American holidays from trick-or-treating on Halloween to sharing Thanksgiving with the other exchange students. However, what I will miss most is the sound of the train outside my window, walking through snow covered streets, and attending a Chicago Bears NFL game, finally ticking off a bucket list item.

I am deeply grateful to the Churchie Old Boys’ Association for their scholarship support, which made this experience possible. The emphasis Churchie places on curiosity, resilience and lifelong learning has stayed with me, and I strongly encourage fellow Old Boys to embrace opportunities that challenge them both academically and personally. The rewards extend far beyond the classroom and stay with you long after the experience has ended.

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 Sunday 31 May. To find out more information and/or apply for a scholarship, please click here.