Life in a Foreign University | ‘From a village to London School of Economics, how winning Chevening Scholarship opened opportunities for me’

Although I did not undertake any specific preparations for studying abroad, during my college days, I founded my own NGO and remained active in the social development sphere.

My experiences till this point in my life made me realise that the kind of curriculum and training I am wishing for will only be available abroad. As the founder of an NGO that I launched in 2017, I realised that to make my organisation sustainable, I needed more academic knowledge about applying various theories and concepts in real-world scenarios. Therefore, I started researching and decided to pursue an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics (LSE). My decision to choose LSE was specifically due to this course curriculum, as I found it highly relevant and engaging.

Battling Covid-19 

Covid-19 has significantly impacted my life, particularly with regard to my family’s health. My parents were hospitalised for almost a month due to Covid-19. During this time, I was also in the process of applying for scholarships.

After my father was discharged from the hospital, he developed several health issues, which required numerous operations. Despite all of this, I managed to do an interview for my scholarship, while my father was undergoing surgery.

Admission process and Chevening Scholarship

I handled the admission process without the assistance of a counsellor. Like many universities in the UK, the application process was rigorous, requiring the submission of essential documents such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, degree certificates, a statement of purpose, and a CV.

While some universities offer English language test waivers, the London School of Economics does not. As there were no available slots for the IELTS or TOEFL exams nearby, I opted for the LSE Language Assessment. I was granted this free test after explaining the high cost of other tests. Following the language test, there was an interview conducted via Zoom. The LSE processes documents and applications at different times, but I was fortunate to receive my results within a week.

Keeping in mind that studying abroad without financial assistance wasn’t feasible for me, I applied for the Chevening Scholarship, which is a leadership-based award given to youth who positively impacted their community through their work and demonstrated the potential to become future leaders. It offers a fully-funded opportunity to study in the UK, including tuition fees, living allowances, arrival allowances, and visa costs. The application process involved writing four essays of 500 words each and undergoing an interview.

My experiences through my NGO were a big help in the Chevening Scholarship. During my college days, I founded my own NGO and remained active in the social development sphere. I even had the privilege of participating in various fully-funded youth exchange programmes and conferences hosted by UNDP, UNESCO, and the Asian Development Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Philippines. I received the Hanyang Changemaker award from Hanyang University, South Korea for one of my projects.

Additionally, in 2018, as a drafting committee member, I contributed to the development of the Chhattisgarh Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy 2020 at the 36 Incubation Center by the state government. This initiative involved studying the entire startup ecosystem in the state, analysing previous interventions by the government, and investigating how to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem. All of these experiences played a significant role in my selection for the Chevening Scholarship.

Why MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

I chose the MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme at the London School of Economics (LSE) because it resonates with my passion for social entrepreneurship. The course is well-designed, emphasising both theoretical understanding and practical application.

In the first term, we studied subjects such as managerial economics, social innovation marketing, and organisational behaviour. The course also includes a unique component: a consultancy project in either Cape Town or Nairobi. My project was with a client organisation in Nairobi called Code With Kids, which aims to promote STEM education in the Kibera region, Kenya’s largest slum. We initially worked with them virtually, conducting interviews and understanding their operations. Later, we got a chance to work with them directly in Nairobi, which was an invaluable experience.

I also had the opportunity to learn about fundraising and startup scaling through LSE Generate, an on-campus incubator for entrepreneurs.

London life through Goodenough College’s lens

My first day in London was exhilarating. I landed at Heathrow airport, took a tube to Russell Square, and was greeted by a friend. I was accepted into Goodenough College with scholarship on room — a prestigious community housing. Living in central London can be expensive, but thanks to support from Goodenough College, I pay half the typical rent.

I seldom cook as Goodenough College offers buffet meals, which are nutritious and financially comparable to cooking my own meals. The college has a strong community of Indian students, and we celebrate various festivals here.

My experience in the UK and at LSE has been great, so far. It is not only an academically rich campus, but the fact that I get to converse with students from around 30 countries, all with varied and impressive backgrounds, led to holistic growth for me. The locals are supportive and welcoming, so that acts as a cherry on the cake.

While some classes are rigorous and time-consuming, universities in the UK generally provide students with ample time to participate in extracurricular activities, attend events related to their personal interests, and network with like-minded individuals. This has helped me in expanding my knowledge, skills, and personal and professional networks.

My advice to future aspirants — plan in advance

My advice for students planning to study abroad in the near future would be to focus not just on the academic aspect of their education but also on the overall global exposure that they will gain by immersing themselves in a diverse, multicultural environment.

One crucial aspect that students should plan for in advance is accommodation as rooms tend to fill up quickly, particularly the more affordable options offered by universities. So it is essential to start looking for a place to stay as soon as possible, after receiving your acceptance letter.

Additionally, I have noticed that many students tend to bring a lot of luggage and Indian products with them when travelling abroad. However, it is often more cost-effective to purchase necessary items once you arrive in the UK, rather than paying for extra luggage or shipping items from India. Almost everything is easily available in this country, so students should not worry too much about packing specific items and instead focus on finding the right university and affordable accommodation.