In the latest in our series of guest blogs to promote the UK’s Chevening Scholarship programme, Alieen Niyaz recounts her experience of studying in the UK as a Maldivian Chevening Scholar.
On the very week I arrived in London as a Chevening Scholar, I received an invitation on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to a reception at the Buckingham Palace. I knew from that moment on that my Chevening year would be full of excitement.
On the 18th of October I dressed up in my national attire and took the London underground to the Palace, to be greeted by Chevening representatives and fellow invitees. I was among the few lucky scholars to be selected for this event from a draw of lots. We were all individually greeted by Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh, and then everyone was ushered to a hall to watch a Choir and Orchestra. This was followed by a cocktail reception in which members of the Royal Family came to us and talked in person and inquired about our lives. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life, and the perfect beginning to my year in London!
I undertook an MSc in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London under the Chevening Scholarship. For a long time I had dreamt of studying in SOAS, with its specialist focus on Africa and Asia. As one of my previous lecturers advised me, the SOAS library, with its wealth of collections on the region, was ‘second to none’ and I had many happy days browsing through the library shelves. SOAS also has a vibrant student culture, and I met many people who shared my world views and focus on social justice. SOAS was everything I expected it to be and more, and I loved it.
Studying in SOAS gave me the opportunity to live for a year in London, a city where one never runs out of things to do. I love museums, and there were so many of them, housing world renowned collections, mostly free to visit. My favourite was the British Museum with its treasures from all over the world, and I lost count of the times I visited.
London is well connected to the rest of Britain and Europe – heaven for someone like me who loves to
travel! I travelled all over the UK during my breaks, and discovered the beauty of the country, including the Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh, the Cotswolds, the Peak District and York. I also travelled to many European cities, including Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Venice, Dublin and the tulip gardens in Lisse, Netherlands! I’d highly advise anyone studying in the UK to purchase a 16-25 railcard as soon as you get there, as it really is worth its price.
Of course, life is not all about ups. Just two days before my final exams in SOAS, I got news from home that my father passed away. I was devastated, as my father was my sole parent since my mother died when I was an infant. But I decided to pick myself up and go ahead and try my best to finish off the degree, as I knew how proud my father would have been to see me graduate. With support from wonderful housemates, family, university and Chevening officials, I was able to complete it successfully, and I am thankful for everyone who helped.
All in all, I would highly recommend the Chevening Scholarship to anyone who wishes to undertake a world class degree in one of the most exciting countries in the world.
The window for applications for 2016/17 Chevening Scholarships is now open. To apply visit: http://www.chevening.org/