Sophomore Jack Sinko took his finals early last semester to spend nine days in London starting Dec. 9 on an all-expenses-paid scholarship trip sponsored by the Young Briton’s Foundation.
Sinko said the trip emphasized British conservatism, the British parliamentary process, and the history of the relationship between Great Britain and America.
“Part of this trip was to see how the British view conservatism and politics as a whole compared to us,” he said.
Sinko, along with nine other American college students who won the scholarship, had the opportunity to meet members of Parliament and tour prominent places, including Buckingham Palace, Oxford University, Cambridge University, and the Churchill War Rooms. A member of Parliament gave the group a private tour of Westminster Abbey.
“There’s so much history in such a small geographical area that you’re able to see a lot in a short time,” Sinko said. “Actually going there and seeing it is a thrill all its own. It strengthened my fervor for the British people. They’re really culturally different than we are. It’s very interesting to be there and see it firsthand.”
To apply for the scholarship, Sinko had to write an essay about which American constitutional amendment the British should adopt. He chose the Second Amendment because he said people in Britain no longer debate gun rights, along with other social issues such as abortion and gay marriage — they’re “non-issues” because so many accept them as status quo.
But he said Hillsdale helped prepare him to engage with the views he encountered on his trip.
“Hillsdale prepares you to know yourself and your own values,” Sinko said. “It was really a comparative trip the whole time. They’re able to ask [about American conservative views], and I’m able to answer. Their [views] are very different, but I’m able to hold steady to my own views because I’ve been strengthened in them at Hillsdale.”
Sinko said the trip was a wonderful experience and encouraged other Hillsdale students to apply for the scholarship.
“I’m sure I’ll remember this for a very long time,” he said.
