"My year spent studying in the UK was by far the best year of my life.

I had already completed my Bachelor's degree in Journalism but found reporting on the news emotionally taxing beyond what I could comfortably handle. I dropped my pursuit of a career in journalism but wasn't sure what to do instead. On a whim, I started looking at whether there were any post-graduate scholarships available to families of 9/11 victims.

Through Families of Freedom and their related partners, I discovered an amazing opportunity: I could study anything I wanted, anywhere in the UK thanks to the British Council's 9/11 Scholarship. I didn't hesitate: I was going to apply.

At first I felt overwhelmed by choices and decisions. Then I realized that this might be the only chance I ever get to study what had always been my passion: audio engineering. It was also probably the only chance I was ever going to get to live in London – something I had definitely wanted to do for a long time.  

Growing up, my family lived in an area of Toronto known as “Islington.” It just so happened that there was an audio engineering college in the part of London known as “Islington.” Something told me I should check it out. I sent an email to the Alchemea College of Audio Engineering and within a few days I was speaking with Tony – now a dear friend – and I knew that's where I wanted to be.

That was literally the toughest part: deciding where to go. The rest came together with such speed and ease I could hardly believe it. London is a place for travellers and I found things like finding a place to live, getting a phone number, even meeting new friends much easier than back home! The help I received from both the British Council and the college was incredible and a few months after making the decision to go, I was attending my first lecture.

I can honestly say the friends I made at Alchemea are some of the best friends I have ever had, and there isn't a day that I don't wish I was still over there, recording, mixing, learning...and having fun.

It was my dad who died on 9/11 and one of the hardest things for me to accept is that he only had his “dream machine” - A Harley-Davidson motorcycle – for a year before he was killed. At least he had that year...but he had been wanting it forever.

If you're interested in this scholarship, it's because like me, you lost someone special on September 11, 2001. My advice to you is this: make this opportunity count, and use it to do something that makes you happy. I guarantee you that the help and support is there to make it happen."

Find out more about studying in the UK