Our new Chevening scholars from Peru, Patrick, Mariana and Celia comment on their experiences during the Chevening Scholarship application process, their expectations for their chosen programme of study and life in the UK.
Three Peruvian Chevening Scholarship winners will take up postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom in the fields of environment, urban development planning and social development during the academic year 2011-2012.
Patrick Wieland, a lawyer, will study an MSc in Environmental Change and Management at Oxford;Celia Ortiz, an economist, an MA in International Social Development at East Anglia University and Mariana Fulgueiras, an anthropologist, an MSc in Urban Development Planning at University College London.
They were congratulated by FCO Minister for Americas, Jeremy Browne during a meeting with prominent Peruvians who have studied in the United Kingdom in the past. Below they talk about their experiences during the scholarship application process and their expectations for the chosen academic programme and the life experience they will have in the United Kingdom.
Patrick:
“The Chevening scholarship process was very competitive and involved a lot of effort in preparing the application essay and the interview. This is my second time applying. The effort was definitely worth it”.
“I will study a Masters in Environmental Change and Management at Oxford University organised by the Department of Geography and Environment. I am excited to start this programme in October and study with people from all over the world with different expertise. I believe that a multidisciplinary masters will give me the technical tools to better understand better environmental problems in my country, particularly in the fight against climate change, in which the UK is a pioneer. In addition to the academic world offered by Oxford, studying in the UK will allow me to enjoy a cosmopolitan and vibrant culture.”
Mariana:
“As new doors open, I’m sure intense months of training, acquiring tools and skills to contribute to the improvement of public administration at the municipal and regional levels await me. Thinking of the great challenges facing urban development in Peru, I look forward to discussing and researching, collecting best practices and sharing experiences that are relevant to our context with fellow students. But learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. To have the opportunity to observe the socio-economic dynamics and learn the history of a city as cosmopolitan as London will leave me with more than just one lifelong lesson
“This new beginning is, in turn, the end of an era of great suspense. The process of applying for a masters and a Chevening Scholarship has consumed much of my energy in recent months. It was a period of growth as the application process invites you to reflect on your interests, motivations and context. It is a difficult exercise ofintrospection and uncertainty, which at the end of the day, leaves you with a valuable opportunity to challenge yourself to think about how you want to contribute your country..”
Celia:
“I’m sure the programme I chose will help expand my theoretical knowledge in the area of social development, particularly with regard to education and social equality, and also further deepen my knowledge of social policies made in other regions of the world. This is the first time I will travel to the UK, and also the first time that I will remain abroad for so long, so I am confident it will be an unforgettable experience. Not only can you find a culture as rich as that of the UK, but also share experiences with students from all over the world with different customs and traditions. The process was tough for me, I had to manage the natural tension caused by moving through each of the application stages , but the end result made it worth all the effort and work.”