Summer Study at Oxford
About Me:
For those of you who don't know me, I'm Sean Rigsby. For the past several years, I've had the privilege of training full time as a member of Team MDUSA in the sport of weightlifting. It has been an absolute dream and I'm blessed to have been given the opportunity to be a in a room with such tremendous individuals unified in their dedication towards a single goal. That time has garnered team titles, national medals, an invaluable education, and lifelong friends.
During that time, I've been working towards completing my own college education. I'm not going to lie to you, it's been a journey trying to put a finger on sort of career to pursue. Especially when you're met with the grim outlook for today's college graduates who sustain a sizable amount of debt and find scarce job prospects to return on their investment. What I have learned over the past few years, is that I love coaching others, or as I like to put it teaching others. Educating and providing the means for other people to make improvements in their life has been the most rewarding job I've found so far.
There are two things I know I can do everyday and find complete fulfillment in: the first in be involved in weightlifting; the second is read, write, discuss, and research language, literature, and theory with others. I had a professor in Berkeley who made a profound impact on me years ago with his course and realized he was having as much fun listening to what his students had to say as he did lecturing to them. That's a happiness I think I would like to know. This doesn't mean I will be stepping away from my competitive goals in weightlifting. But there is life after being an athlete, and I personally would like to help be apart of bringing weightlifting into more University programs in the future.
My Education:
Since beginning the English Program at Arizona State, I've been a regular on the Dean's List and have maintained a competitively high GPA. I'm intending to attempt publication in research or produce a creative writing sample upon graduation and study for the GRE so that I can apply for a top graduate program. Academia is a really scary place these days, but if you're passionate and work hard I believe it can be very rewarding.
About a month ago, I was accepted into the Medieval Literature Summer Program at Oxford University. This year the 6 week summer course focuses on 14th Century Literature and Shakespeare's relations to Imperial England during his lifetime. The chance to study at the oldest University in the English speaking world is one I simply cannot ignore. Particularly due to the fact this period is one of great interest to me as one can study how the merging of Norman and English cultures infused French into the language we speak today. My very last name originates from this period of Norman conquest.
This opportunity to enrich my education is monumental and will make my application for a graduate program more competitive. If I'm to reach my long term goals, this is stepping stone in right direction.
The Problem:
It is, however, a very expensive stepping stone. I was informed recently that I will receive no Federal Financial Aid of any kind for this summer program, not even the Stafford loans that many of us students are very used to relying on. This means the trip will be entirely self funded, ultimately requiring me to take out a sizable private student loan with unsavory interest rate. In order to apply for scholarships, I had to commit to the program, so no matter what the bill has to be paid and Sean is going to England.
The cost sheet from ASU totals out to just under $10,000. I think I can do it for cheaper than that, but just for reference here are the primary expenses.
Cost:
Tuition and Room--$4,920
Airfare--$1,500 (flying during the most expensive time of year)
Meals--$1,500 (ordinarily I'd say this could be cheaper, but the dollar is worth less than the English Pound)
Books--$220 (priced out on various online retailers)
This totals to $8,140. I know that doesn't seem like a lot to some people. But it will become a sizable addition to the accumulating debt in the name of education.
What I'm Doing:
I've made personal changes in my own life to save up as much as I can. I've picked up some extra work and continue to look for more. I've applied for an endless number of scholarships and grants, a few of which I feel very positive about the outcome. I've eliminated any discretionary spending. But I won't lie, there isn't a whole lot left after I set aside the monthly payments for the costs of my shoulder surgery from last December.
Personally, I've always hated these things. I've seen a lot of them started to support hobbies or even getting Kanye West out of debt, while his wife brags on the internet about making bank transfers in the millions.
But I've been encouraged by several good friends to go this route, who tell me this is exactly why methods like crowdfunding exists.
How To Help:
I'm going to be bringing a camera with me. Part of the program includes visits to Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's childhood home), the Globe Theater, and other sites of historical relevance. Because I'm going to be researching not only the historical value of these sites, but how go about seeing them for a cheaply as possible, I'm hoping to document my experience and produce either a blog or article series. Some of you may find it of interest, others may not, but I'd like to make sure that those who invest in this opportunity get to be apart of it.
Your help is appreciated beyond words. Whether it be a monetary contribution, sharing amongst your peronsal circle, or even allowing me to practice my craft by providing weightlifting coaching or training services. If you got this far, thanks just for taking the time to read.
Sean