Thomas Glover Scholarship 2012

IDAV Ph.D. Student visit to Japan

Since 1996, the Thomas Glover scholarship has facilitated a series of exchanges between Aberdeen and Nagasaki, enabling students to follow in the footsteps of Thomas Blake Glover. I was overjoyed when I was notified that I had been awarded the scholarship for 2012, which would involve travelling to Nagasaki, staying with several host families over a period of three weeks and undertaking research. As a native Aberdonian, I had read about Thomas Blake Glover and had always been keen to visit Japan.

As a result of my interest in the recent global economic crisis and its impact upon the voluntary sector, I decided to undertake research comparing the effects of the economic crisis upon charities in Aberdeen and Nagasaki. Before I left to travel to Nagasaki, I undertook a literature review which helped to give me some insight into the issues at hand. During my time in Nagasaki, I undertook three  interviews with a Director of an Orphanage, Director of a Nursing Home and with a worker in a Domestic Abuse charity. 

These interviews brought to the fore the precarious situation many voluntary organisations face – such as providing services and support for increasing numbers of vulnerable people (elderly, young children who have been abused and victims of domestic abuse) and coping with the pressures on service provision due to lack of funds. Japan has also had to cope with several recent natural disasters which has  put a considerable strain on services.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Balgownie, Rotary Club of Nagasaki West and Nagasaki and the University of Aberdeen for supporting students like myself through the Thomas Glover Scholarship Programme. I have learnt a lot in the process, made lasting friendships and have had an experience which I will treasure for the rest of my life. 

Tanita Maxwell

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