My experience as a Chevening Scholar

The following is a blog entry from Jóhannes Eiríksson, a 2012 Chevening Scholar from Iceland.

When I received the news of having been selected the 2012 Chevening Scholar in Iceland my first feelings were a mixture of enjoyment, excitement and pride. I was also deeply honoured. To be selected the single Icelandic Chevening Scholar out of a group of other very intellectual and talented Icelanders, and given the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom for a year, was of course nothing but mind blowing.

The minute I received the news from the British Embassy I was immediately made aware that I had now become a part of the Chevening family; that was a very nice and secure feeling. The British Ambassador in Iceland, Mr. Ian Whitting, held a farewell reception at his lovely residence, and that itself was quite an experience. The Ambassador wished me all the best and urged me to enjoy my stay in the United Kingdom, hopeful of me returning with lots of positive experiences. I was both extremely thankful and humbled as well as deeply honoured to be taking on those responsibilities.

Throughout the whole process, I was aware that the British Ambassador himself took special interest in the Chevening programme, emphasising the importance of a good and strong relationship between Iceland and the United Kingdom. For his efforts and enthusiasm in making the Chevening Scholarship a continuing reality in Iceland I am extremely grateful. His successor, Mr. Stuart Gill, has the same passion for the Chevening programme, benefitting the future students in Iceland. That must be admired.

Having those perspectives in mind I headed to the United Kingdom with my fiancée. Our final destination was the historic university city of Cambridge, where I had been admitted to a one year Master’s programme in Corporate Law at the Law Faculty of the University of Cambridge (so-called MCL Degree). I must say, the feeling of attending the same University as the likes of Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking, to name a few, was quite unrealistic and overwhelming.

During our stay, my fiancée and I were able to spend some time travelling around the surrounding areas. The destinations were mostly villages, towns and cities near Cambridge, e.g. Grantchester, Trumpington, Ely and Kings Lynn, but also places further away, such as London and Brighton.

One of the trips to London was to participate in a Chevening welcome reception at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s main building at King Charles Street, Whitehall. Never before had I stepped foot into the secret corridors of Whitehall, so I was excited to be given that opportunity and take a glance behind the closed curtains of one of Whitehall’s historic buildings.

At the reception I first fully understood the meaning of Chevening being a global network of Chevening Scholars. There I met and had some good conversations with scholars from all around the world, some of whom I am still in touch with today. In fact, two of those I met were actually my classmates, i.e. belonged to our class of 23 people! Can you believe that? What a small world indeed!

Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, addressed the gathering and wished us all the best on our Chevening journey. Following the reception Chevening had organised several walks around the city of London. I decided to join the political walk, on which we were enlightened and educated about the United Kingdom’s most influential political figures. The walk was very rewarding and revealed some interesting facts on the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Oliver Cromwell and Emmeline Pankhurst, to name a few.

In hindsight, my stay in the United Kingdom during my studies in 2012/2013 was an unbelievable life experience. Not only did I become a more skilled lawyer but also a more skilled person in general. I met with many highly intellectual, motivated and interesting people and generated lots of, hopefully, life lasting friendships. It is safe to say that during my stay I learned a lot. And some of the things I learned really opened my eyes, taking into account different perspectives originating from different people from all over the world.

Again, my sincere gratitude to the British Embassy in Iceland and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for granting me such a wonderful opportunity. I am deeply proud and honoured to be a part of the Chevening community. I sincerely hope that the Chevening programme will continue to exist, not only in Iceland but all around the world, and grow even stronger and further globally. In my opinion the Chevening community is too vital to be abandoned. I wish all future Chevening Scholars the very best on their adventurous journeys!