At Scholarship Junkies, we don't want to just share our scholarship secrets with you. We want to share examples of our scholarship secrets paying off too. Through our Scholarship Junkies profiles, you'll be inspired by stories of Scholarship Junkies pursuing their dreams, and you'll hear diverse perspectives on how to approach the scholarship application process successfully.

Studying abroad in London, England for a semester is like a dream come true. It only seemed like a dream about a year ago when I first mentioned the idea to my mom. She shrugged it off a bit and seemed to think I wasn’t serious about actually going abroad, but it became my goal for the entire year, to do everything necessary to get to London for a semester. And here I am; after filling out loads of paperwork, making countless phone calls and e-mails to my study abroad adviser at home, I accomplished my goal and even got a scholarship to be here! Getting some financial help for this trip became a short-term goal for me, since being overseas is quite costly. But I creatively used my honesty and video skills to make a really sweet video and accomplished another of my goals. I didn’t think I’d be able to win one of these scholarships because literally hundred of people apply, but I put lots of time and effort into it and really believed in myself that I could do it. And I did!

First I wrote a script for the video itself by jotting down each shot and what I wanted to include in each. I got my family to help out as well because they were a big part in making this dream of mine a reality. I also used some of the essays and personal statements I had written in the past for other scholarship application and included them in the video to let people know why I was applying and what I planned to do while abroad. Then I edited the video and in about three days it was completely finished! I’m very lucky and grateful to have this opportunity available to me and I hope that others can and do take advantage of amazing opportunities like this when they’re readily available to them.

Because I have spent so much time preparing for this trip, I really do feel like I belong here right now. I am living in New Cross, London and studying drama/theatre at Goldsmiths College. It’s a really artsy school that is quite famous, as I’ve heard from the locals, and it really is the perfect place for me abroad. I’m experiencing so many new things, both big and small, and meeting wonderful new people who have already become some of my best friends. There are some slight differences in language, for example, such as casual phrases and social lingo that threw me off at first, but I got used to it very quickly. For instance, a “hob” in the kitchen is the stovetop. It was a little confusing at first but I was able to quickly familiarize myself with what each thing was called over here.

In addition, the fact that people drive on the “wrong” side of the road here threw me off at first as well, because cars would be coming from a direction I wouldn’t be expecting, so all of us study abroad kids had to be extra cautious when out and about in the city. I dread the day I have to leave because I’ve already grown so attached to living here; I even call New Cross “home” in conversation. I also get to travel outside London while being here. So far, some of my adventures include the must-do, touristy things such as the London bus tour where I got to see Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Globe Theatre. I’ve also already been to Stonehenge, Bath, the Tower of London, and spent weekends in Wales and Scotland, and I’ve only been here a month! I’m also spending upcoming weekends in Scotland, Paris, Amsterdam and Bruges, and part of my week off in Berlin. So in addition to being a student of theatre while abroad, I am also a student of the world.

From the whole study abroad experience that essentially started a year ago for me, I’ve learned a lot, but most importantly to follow your dreams and to work hard in doing so. I am proud to say that my hard work really pays off. If you’re serious about something, go for it. Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And most importantly, follow your dream, especially if it lands you halfway around the world.

Kaitlin Overton is a third year undergraduate student at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey and a BA Theatre Studies major with a minor in musical theatre. Kaitlin received the GO! Overseas Study Abroad Scholarship. She is currently studying drama/theatre abroad at Goldsmiths College, University of London in New Cross, London, England. After college, Kaitlin plans to continue theatre in auditioning, directing, and writing. Kaitlin has been involved in many types of theatre, especially in theatre for social change and hopes to continue this both abroad and at home in and around New Jersey and New York. Kaitlin thanks her family and friends for supporting her dreams and for all the help coming abroad.