How fair is the Chevening Awards selection process?

Every year the British government provides the Chevening Scholarships which is considered to be one of the most coveted and highly competitive scholarship awards. The awardees receive tuition fees to complete their master’s degree program in the UK, monthly living allowance an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants and allowances to cover essential expenditure.

I knew about this scholarship in 2016 through someone who was a recipient of a similar scholarship. The Chevening website mentions that they are looking for future leaders and influencers who have a strong academic background. 

I was awarded the best graduating student from the Ace Institute of Management for excellence in my academics and leadership skills. At that point, I was already working as a Business Reporter in a leading English Language and publishing lead stories on tourism, business, and entrepreneurship. Moreover, I was also the Concept Director and Host of “Youth in Entrepreneurship”, an English language talk show aired in Radio Reeyaz. Further, I was also the semi-finalist of Nepal’s Top 7 Debaters and had anchored Youth television Show on national television. In 2016, I first applied for the scholarship, I scored 7 in my IELTS and also got offer letters from two out of the three universities I had applied for. I was shortlisted and reached the interview stage. However, I did not make it.

Despite, having a strong academic background and a huge potential to lead I was denied this scholarship. I reapplied it the next year and again reached the interview stage. I was confident and gave my best hoping that I would make it in the second year. However, I was rejected once more. I was shocked to see that the awardees were all men that year. I was frustrated because I was not selected, but after witnessing it was only men who were selected for the scholarship from Nepal, I was disgusted. All the men who got selected that year were qualified and deserving, and I do not hold anything against them. But coming this from an institution that boasts of being inclusive and working for women empowerment felt strange. I am sure there were women who were equally if not more deserving who applied that year but not even one got selected and it is a shame.

Chevening Scholars 2018/19 from Nepal (This picture clearly shows all men were selected. Where is inclusion? How fair is the selection process? (Source: Facebook UK in Nepal)

This was an eye-opener for me. We still live in a society where men are given so much more preference and organizations too back that up. I did a lot of soul searching that year. I was devastated but I wasn’t tired. I knew I had to work doubly hard to prove my worth. I applied for all the possible programs, seminars, professional networks that I came across that matched my ambitions. I was selected out of 1800+ applicants to be a part of the US Embassy Youth Council in 2018/19. I was offered a place at F1Soft International, Nepal’s leading fintech company where I am still working as Corporate Communications Manager. I did a lot of things in that year and then again applied for the scholarship. This time, Chevening did not reject me right after the interview but placed me as a reserved candidate. I was confident to make it this year. But then, I don’t know why even this year I did not make it.

After applying for three times, and being rejected I have become more confident than ever.  I have given all that I could to the selection process and I have learned a lot in this journey. I am no more frustrated for I couldn’t make it. Because now I know it was never me. This has left me wondering, “How fair is the Chevening Awards selection process?” 

Chevening Rejection Galore! 

Despite getting accepted by leading universities in the UK, despite getting a high score in the IELTS for thrice and despite having a strong academic background, despite having leadership and networking qualities. Above all, despite having stellar application essays and reaching the interview stage not once but thrice: 

7 things I reflected while cooking 7 days at home

Since I work full-time, I eat out almost every day. We do prepare meals on normal days but it is usually prepared in a rush.

 

During the past week, we have been putting the effort to plan what we consume and if you have been following me on Facebook, you might have noticed that I’ve been posting the pictures of the delicacies.

 

Some people have also criticized me for posting food pictures at a time when so many people are barely getting anything to eat. I understand their sentiments. However, I’ve been posting them to keep a record of this time, to update my family members about what we are eating every day and that just letting them know that we are doing fine.

 

Here are 7 things I reflected upon in the past 7 days while shopping for, preparing and enjoying these meals with my sister-in-law:

 

1.      Wasting food is a sin

As per the World Food Programme (WFP)’s recent data, 821 million people- more than 1 in 9 of the world population do not get enough food to eat. Moreover, the food that we consume every day comes from a long chain of farmers, intermediaries, vendors who work hard each day to produce. It does take a lot of effort and time to cook each meal. So wasting food is a sin. We have tried our best to not waste food, especially during the pandemic.

 

2.      Cooking is creating

I enjoy creating. And cooking is also an activity that allows me to create. I love the flavors and the color each vegetable or fruit brings. Mixing different items in colorful cutlery is a relaxing activity. While I was making fruit salad, I cherished garnishing the white creamy curd or yogurt with red watermelon. Similarly, adding fresh green coriander or spring onions to a curry just brightens the dish. Cooking is creating.

 

3.      Cooking brings you closer to home

I realized we usually cook the things we are used to eating as a child. There are so many fancy recipes out there waiting to be tried and tested. But we usually crave for the dishes our mothers made us taste. I try to copy what my mother used to do in her kitchen mostly. Nothing beats simple daal, fries, hot tomato pickle, and rice.

 

4.      Cooking is the main activity

Your sister calls you, the first thing she asks you, “What did you eat?” With most people staying at home, cooking is the main activity. Most people are being creative about the food that they make. It can be a mundane task for many but it is fun if you spice it up.

 

5.      Consuming moderate

Sometimes even cooking less is more when there are few people at home. And we tend to eat as much as we used to or even more. However, our physical activity has decreased as compared to what it used to be in the past and on a normal day while we traveled. So, rather than feasting every day, it is important to consume a moderate amount of food. Focus on hydrating yourself. “Eat less, exercise more and hydrate yourself.”

 

6.      Planning rewards 

We planned what we would eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even though it did not go as planned, we did realize we have so much food at our home.

 

7.      Cooking makes you reflect

You don’t always have to be in a classroom to learn. Sometimes you learn in a kitchen. We are so fortunate and blessed to have so much to eat every day. Pray to God before you eat but also remember to thank a farmer. Most importantly, no matter how they taste of the food is the person who has cooked as put in a lot of effort to prepare a full meal for you, so don’t forget to thank them.

Please find the link to the short video which includes some of the meals we prepared during the anti-coronavirus lockdown:

https://www.facebook.com/crystal.abhilasha/videos/10212504799133333/?t=30

I challenge you to document the activities you are involved in during the lockdown and reflect on it. You don't have to make it public or use any hashtags, just do it for yourself and share with me if you feel like.