Hello! 👋 (⬇️Scroll down to read more)
This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Thandar Aung Soe, a bright young woman from Myanmar who was selected as a Chevening scholar for the 2022-2023 intake.
Thandar shared her inspirational journey of becoming one of just 8 Chevening scholars from Myanmar last year. She discussed her background and what motivated her to apply for this prestigious UK government scholarship program. The Chevening scholarship provides full financial support for scholars to pursue a one-year master's degree at any UK university*
Thandar walked me through her detailed planning and preparation process for the Chevening application. This included researching scholarship requirements, timing the application process, obtaining letters of recommendation, and drafting compelling personal essays. She highlighted how the 4 essays were a critical part of the process, where her passion, personal story and alignment with Chevening's mission had to clearly come across.
For those interested in applying, Thandar stressed the importance of understanding what makes you stand out as a leader and how your goals align with Chevening's mission. She advised on overlooked areas for applicants, like emphasizing the importance of grades from local universities, gaining ample work experience, and articulating those experiences effectively.
It was inspiring to hear first-hand from Thandar how she leveraged this opportunity to expand her horizons and gain new skills. She is now working towards a master's in development studies at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
The Chevening scholarship application for 2023-2024 is now open (and closes on 7 November 2023).
I hope this episode provides insights into the requirements, preparations, expectations, and inspirations to help you understand the application process.
A few resources: