'After studying in the UK, it became my second home'

Samantha Stevens, from the US, received a 9/11 Scholarship from the British Council to study in the UK. She did her undergraduate degree in public health nutrition at Cardiff Metropolitan University, during which she met her now-husband, Ben, who is Welsh.

After her master's in Swansea, she and Ben moved to the US, but they often return with their young son, and Samantha considers Wales her second home. Learn more about her experience.

'Before I moved to the UK, I only really knew about the Royal Family'

Although it's embarrassing to say, I didn't know much about Cardiff or Wales before I moved to the UK. I only really knew about the Royal Family. After living there for five years during my studies, I now know there is much more to it. I had the privilege of living in Cardiff and Swansea and experiencing beautiful countryside and city life. I met my now-husband while studying in Cardiff, and his family lives in a small village near Aberystwyth. Although I live in the US now, I'd love to live in Wales again someday.

'I was introduced to the British Council at "America's Camp" for children affected by 9/11'

When I was younger, I was introduced to the British Council at a summer camp called 'America's Camp'. The camp was for children who had been affected by 9/11. Almost all of the kids who were invited had lost a family member in the September 11 attacks in New York City. Getting to know and spending time with other kids impacted by it was very healing. Losing a parent is traumatising, no matter how it happens, but losing a parent in a terrorist attack is a different thing. My sister, Carly, and I lost our mom on American Airlines Flight 11.

'I went on a trip to the UK because my friends were going...not because I thought I'd end up studying there'

When Carly and I went to America's Camp, many of the other kids were from New York or New Jersey, and most of them had lost a parent in the line of duty—mostly firefighters or police officers. Although we didn't share that experience, as our mom was on a business trip, we were united and constantly reminded of our loved ones through the news on social media when we were a bit older.

The camp directors introduced the older kids—I was 15 then—to the British Council. At the time, the British Council was taking young people eligible for the 9/11 Scholarship to Edinburgh and London to tour several universities. I went on the trip because all my friends were going and I thought it would be fun... not because I ever thought I would end up studying in the UK. Little did I know that five years later, I would be on a flight to Cardiff to start my first year at university because of this amazing opportunity that I was offered.

'I always thought I'd study in the US, but the 9/11 Scholarship changed that'

I had always seen myself going to an American university, which was the only thing I had ever known. But when I realised I was eligible for this incredible opportunity, I took a chance and applied for the 9/11 Scholarship and universities in the UK. I had planned on going to The University of Nottingham, but at the last minute, I went through a process called 'Clearing', which I had never heard of before. It's a system designed to match empty university places to applicants who suit them.

I didn’t know much about UK universities, so I was focused on finding one that offered the degree programme I wanted: nutrition. During the Clearing process, you don’t have much time to apply to different places, so I went for the first one I could find with a nutrition programme: Cardiff Metropolitan University. I knew nothing about Cardiff then; I barely knew anything about Wales, but it has become my home away from home.

'When I started at Cardiff, I said yes to everything to get as much exposure to the local culture as possible'

The scholarship covered the full cost of tuition, room, and board and provided a stipend to cover living expenses, which was incredibly helpful when 'starting a life' in a new country.

It was a challenge at first. Being without friends and family in a new country would be hard for anyone, but at 18 years old, it was daunting. I was able to make friends quickly through freshers week (the week before courses start when there are lots of activities and things going on). I also played basketball at university, and being American helped because people thought my accent was 'cool'. I just embraced it and said yes to everything to get as much exposure to the local culture as possible.

I loved it. It was very different to going to university in the US. I loved that I could be so focused and only take classes directly related to my degree.

'I had no idea the impact the scholarship would have on my life when I moved to Wales 11 years ago'

I met my now-husband, Ben, at Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff Met), where I graduated with my bachelor's degree in public health nutrition. I then went on to do a master's in child public health at Swansea University before Ben and I moved to Boston together. Because our English Bulldog, Bella, couldn't fly, we moved back to the US on the Queen Mary II Ocean Liner, which took us from Southhampton to New York City by sea. A few years later, we got married, and now have an almost one-year-old.

Ben and I met during one of our classes at Cardiff Met. He is extremely smart, and I was struggling in our biochemistry class. He offered to help tutor me, and the rest is history. Ben taught me so much more than biochemistry. He introduced me to British culture - we went to many rugby games, and he took me to my first Indian restaurant.

'I never thought I would end up studying in the UK, and now it's my second home'

I'm forever grateful for the scholarship because my life would look completely different without it. I think of Wales as my second home now. I am fortunate to return to visit Ben's family, and we show our son the wonders of Wales.