Last spring, Ridlon took advantage of UCA’s study abroad opportunities. She received a $2,000 Travel Abroad Grant to study in Maastricht, the UCA-Netherlands campus. Upon her return, Ridlon learned of a scholarship offered by the Rotary foundation from a Rotarian in her hometown of DeQueen, Ark. The scholarship provided for the recipient to travel to any college of their top five choices outside of the United States to attend for one full academic year. Ridlon immediately began the application process.

"I think just experiencing another culture is eye-opening," she said. "It helps you to step outside of your own world and engage in foreign social interaction."

The application process consisted of personal and educational background information, several essays, letters of recommendation, and school transcripts. As soon as this was complete and endorsed by the DeQueen Rotary Club, it was turned in to a district committee.

"I think what made my application strong was my concern for geriatric rehabilitation because concern for the aging is one of the major focus areas of Rotary International," Ridlon said.

Ridlon along with six other applicants met in Little Rock for a panel interview conducted by the Rotary Foundation. After an hour of deliberation the committee announced Ridlon as one of the scholarship recipients. She was later notified by mail that she would get the opportunity to attend King’s College London, in London, England, which was her first choice as a place to study. "One of the reasons I was attracted to King’s College London is that it is the home of the Age Concern Institute of Gerontology, in which I hope to have some involvement while at King’s," she said.

Part of the agreement in receiving the scholarship is that Ridlon will in turn be a spokesperson for the DeQueen Rotary Club. This means Ridlon will give presentations to the Rotary Club in London during her stay and also give presentations to the DeQueen Rotary Club before her departure and upon her return.

"It has been a long process," she said. "I have training in March and will have to make speeches to the Rotary Club in London. Part of the requirement is to present talks and being a public figure makes me a little nervous, but it is well worth it."

Ridlon will depart for London in September and return home in June. However, before her trip to London, Ridlon plans to take another trip to Belize. She was recently awarded a $2,000 TAG by the Honors College for a field experience opportunity in Belize during the May intercession, May 20-June 7. In Belize, she will be studying public health and ecological issues and working at Peace Corps sites among other program objectives. While doing this she will gain UCA credit toward her medical sociology degree.