Part of Chevening Conversations
24th January 2012 Chevening, UK
London is proactive! And best of all, it makes you proactive!
Our new Chevening Conversations blog is by Lebanese Chevening Scholar Leena Ksaifi. Leena is studying for an MSC in Violence, Conflict and Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies.
When you first arrive in London, everything is jaw dropping. Double-decker buses, shiny lights and flashy signs, bikers cycling, pedestrian buttons you press when you want to cross the street, parks, dog parks, all out vegetarian restaurants, the list goes on. The good part is, everything continues to be a jaw dropping- ok fine, perhaps you stop starring in awe every time you see a group of cyclists zoom by, but the good part is, you have the choice to become one of them. Before you know it, you become that cyclist, you become that vegetarian, and you become that park stroller. London is proactive. And best of all, it makes you proactive.
I have been here just over two months. I have never felt this responsible, mature, and capable of owning up to my life; 24 hours of the day are for me to explore, experiment, try new things, and challenge myself. I have currently made a choice to become a pescetarian ( a vegetarian that eats fish). Why? Simply put, why not? Why not try something new and see how your body reacts. Now I purchase free range eggs, and a whole lot of broccoli. I am a better informed consumer, better connected to my environment, to my body, and yes as cliched as it sounds, to my mind. It also makes for great discussion. My favorite is when people ask me “ooh but what about protein”? and I cheekily retort, “ ohh what about the bull”? (Bulls don’t eat meat!) Being proactive means persevering.
At SOAS ( School of Oriental and African Studies) I have become a member of two great societies. At the Krishna society we learn to cook yummy, vegetarian food. We also, meet up to discuss philosophical and spiritual issues. At the Rapid Arnis society ( Filipino offensive martial arts) we learn self defense. Two action packed hours of challenging one’s mental and physical abilities. The best part of these societies is the dedication and commitment it teaches you. When my body aches from one too many push up sand boxing exercises, I still push myself to go. When I just feel like eating out, I still push myself to go to the cooking workshops. Being proactive also means devotion.
Finally, I was elected to become student rep for my Violence, Conflict, and Development program. My job responsibilities are to improve the educational experiences for my fellow classmates by providing advice, relaying suggestions and comments to the department, attend faculty meetings, and organize social events. It has been a great opportunity to work on my communication and organizational skills, and it has been great to meet students from all walks of life. Being proactive also means being influential.
So the beginning of my Chevening scholarship has been nothing short of amazing. Whilst I can’t predict the future, I’m pretty confident, the whole ‘being proactive’ theme, persevering, being devoted, and influential, will shape my future, and develop into something very fruitful and promising.
Many thanks to Chevning.
Leena, I liked your post so much and you are absolutely right. I am not a very active person, I don’t like sports…but once I got in the UK I started having this feeling that I should be the master of my own life and I said: don’t go with the flow anymore but make your own, take actions and stand out. That’s why I started by presenting myself as a MSc Biotechnology course representative candidate and finally got elected.Taking this responsibility to speak for others and make a change is definitely a new experience for me and I’m enjoying it!
I have read several blogs stressing how wonderful it is to be a Chevening scholar- the educational opportunity, the mind reforming environment of the UK universities, great new friends and a proactive lifestyle. I am sure anyone seeking such marvelous opportunities to whollistically impove their abilities knows better to turn to Chevening for a scholarship. Well done Chevening – you are giving so many scholars their lives back!
We do owe a lot to Chevening Scholarships for giving us this opportunity to excel. I guess the best way to pay it back, is to go back to Lebanon and wholeheartedly excel in our work and enhance ties between the UK and Lebanon!
I love that you talk about devotion, and I think it’s so true. I like to think that little things add up and become big things some day 🙂 Also, I was a pescatarian for 7 years and only went back to eating meat a year or so ago. While I am glad to eat meat now, I’m also glad that I had the devotion to stick to my beliefs at that point of time until it felt like it wasn’t right for me anymore. That I did it when it mattered to me and stopped when I felt like it wasn’t right anymore really was important to me, that I was doing it for myself and not anyone else.
Hey Rachel,
When i was reading your message i was going to quickly ask, why did you start eating meat? But you said it perfectly…i quote you, ” I did it when it mattered to me and stopped when I felt like it wasn’t right anymore “. You could not have said it any better.
Enjoy eating meat! I am totally missing this Lebanese meat called, Kafta, these days… but its not the right time to start eating meat…yet.
I like the “being proactive” part and “seeking to learn and try something new” based on determination and perseverance.
Hey Henry….It really is about being proactive 🙂 Its the only way to really make use of your days worth…now obviously we all have our grim days, but as long as we know we should be proactive, and are investing in ways to becoming more proactive, then we will be able to lift ourselves up from those not so proactive days. And i know that i focused a lot about being proactive in London, but being proactive is not just about the place that you are in, but about a state of mind. And the energy that feeds that proactivity is determination and perseverance…which are very hard to achieve, but surely they are attainable! Hope you have a proactive week, and of course a proactive weekend! 🙂
My favorite is when people ask me “ooh but what about protein”?
I am a vegetarian too and I have been asked that question many a times !
🙂
Hey Ajay…There is is this huge misconception that you can only get proteins from meat, and a lot of people that are looking to build muscle mass will often eat meat for that purpose. In part this is due to the media, and false advertisement wanting consumers to purchase more meat. Even nutritionists recommend eating meat. However, if you do your homework and research into what are good protein substitutes and make sure to include it in your diet, then there is nothing to worry about. People worry too much! And besides, apparently the Gladiators were vegetarians! And they got muscles!!!