‘I had to really think critically… I’m a better writer and researcher after going to university in the UK.’  

An international learning community  

Beyond the classroom, Chevening scholars are also encouraged to connect and learn from each other. Bea lived in halls at Goodenough College, alongside Chevening scholars and postgraduate students from around the world. They exchanged perspectives not just on food and music, but also on public health, infrastructure, and governance.  

‘Chevening makes it really easy to make friends.’  

This exchange of ideas helped Bea see her own country’s challenges in a new light. From comparing power cuts with peers from across Africa, to discussing health systems in South America, to experiencing London’s public transport and safety firsthand, she realised how different futures are possible, and how policy choices shape them. 

Inspired to achieve more  

Returning to South Africa, Bea quickly earned a promotion at Genesis Analytics, a development consulting firm where she has participated in health policy research focused on health economics and financing. Bea applies the leadership standards and advanced research skills she honed at LSE.   

She also tapped into the Chevening alumni community at home, securing a mentor through her network to help her maximise her impact. 

She believes that she wouldn’t be as far along in her career without support from Chevening and the Anglo American Foundation.   

‘People always say ‘you can’t change the world’, but you can with these degrees.’  

Intense study, amazing connections  

Amanda had visited the UK as a teenager and, as an LGBTQ+ person, felt she could belong there. Plus, at the time she became interested in studying abroad, the UK was passing strong GBV prevention laws. Her research into courses revealed that UK universities taught a behavioural approach to public policy, what Amanda described as ‘the art of understanding how to influence people’s decisions on policy based on psychology.’  

With her degree co-funded by the Lemann Foundation, Amanda now benefits from access to two influential networks. 

‘The best asset you can have [as a social entrepreneur] is the ability to create good and profound connections.’ 

Amanda says her confidence grew as she learned how to connect with other high-achieving individuals with very different perspectives and experiences. She honed her networking, communication, and negotiation capabilities, skills she uses regularly as a founder and CEO. 

She built strong relationships within her Chevening cohort, including Anelize Lenzi Ruas de Almeida, another scholar co-funded by Lemann. Anelize now serves as Attorney General for the National Treasury in Brazil and as a board member for Serenas.  

‘I count my Chevening and Lemann connections among my closest friends and colleagues.’ 

Returning home: Turning WhatsApp messages into a multi-state nonprofit  

‘When I came back, I didn’t have money to start a non-profit, but I had . . . amazing connections and people willing to help. That’s what Chevening does. It makes you feel part of a group, a community that says: let’s help each other.’ 

She credits those connections with helping make Serenas a reality. She put a call out on her Chevening WhatsApp groups, gathered board members from her networks, and contacted professors for advice.   

‘Doing the MPP opened my mind on how I had the potential to have more impact. [Chevening] completely changed my mindset, showing me that what I used to do by myself could actually become public policy. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now.’ 

Serenas, named for Amanda’s great-grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, was established in 2021. It offers education programs to help first responders deal sensitively and humanely with victims of GBV and supports local governments with outreach programmes and capacity-building for GBV prevention.   

Serenas has since operated in five Brazilian states and has directly impacted more than 60,000 people. Amanda is currently partnering with the Mariana Filizola, a fellow Chevening alumna, the UK Embassy and the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency Brazil, to launch the first nationwide course on internet-based GBV prevention in Brazil.  

In addition to delivering the education programmes Serenas offers, Amanda is proud that she’s been able to build a women-run organisation that is developing confident, skilled female leaders. She continues to take the Serenas message – supporting the rights of women and girls to live free of violence – beyond Brazil. Before Serenas, she worked at organisations such as UNICEF and the MALALA Fund.

In 2023, she was part of the Official Brazilian Committee at the Commission on the Status of Women in the United Nations. In 2024, she was awarded the UK Alumni Prize for Social Impact in Brazil.    

‘I can’t imagine my life without [Chevening]’.  

As a first-generation refugee from Afghanistan, Heela has long been committed to using activism and storytelling to drive systems-level change. But studying in the UK with Chevening helped her to increase her impact and reach more people.

‘Chevening gave me the skills and visibility to launch projects that support thousands of people, and it continues to connect me with leaders and changemakers across the world.’

Read on to find out more.

‘Across the world, millions of young people in conflict and displaced communities are living with untreated trauma,’ Heela explains. ‘Research shows that more than 70% of refugees experience psychological distress, but less than 10% ever receive support… That leaves a huge gap.’

‘I know this first-hand. While working and leading projects, I was diagnosed with CPTSD and I didn’t understand how deeply it was linked to my experiences,’ she shares. ‘If I, with access to education and networks, struggled to recognise or address it, the barrier for a young refugee with no resources is even greater. Many don’t even know what help looks like, or how to ask for it.’

This gap is what led Heela to create MUSKA, a trauma-informed mobile app that combines mental health and sexual and reproductive health support with practical tools to help people rebuild their lives.

‘Most digital mental health tools are built for high-income countries, requiring stable internet, high literacy levels, or cultural familiarity that people in fragile contexts don’t have,’ she says.

That’s why MUSKA is available offline, uses a low level of data, and is accessible in Persian, Pashto, and English.

‘It connects mental health and sexual and reproductive health support with practical skills for business and tech,’ she explains. ‘Because healing alone is not enough… people also need tools to integrate and rebuild.’

With MUSKA, Heela aims to bring together policy, research, and AI-driven technology to create solutions that can be scaled across countries, particularly those facing rising levels of displacement due to climate disasters.

Studying in the UK with Chevening helped make this vision a reality.

‘Chevening opened the door for me to education, leadership opportunities, and global platforms that I would not have accessed otherwise,’ she reflects. ‘Coming to the UK through such a competitive scholarship gave me not just a degree, but the confidence and network to take my work further.’

Looking ahead, Heela’s determined to help more people.

‘My plans are always evolving with the realities around me, but the direction is clear. I want to keep building at the intersection of technology, mental health, and accessibility, making sure that young people and refugees in fragile contexts are not left behind.’

‘Scaling MUSKA is a key priority; expanding to more languages, integrating AI for personalised support, and linking wellbeing with skills for entrepreneurship and climate resilience.’

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll find inspiring Chevening alumni like Heela making a positive impact.

These tailored short courses are for mid-career professionals who have already reached a position of influence but want to increase their knowledge, networks, and potential, so that they can make a meaningful impact back home.

One such programme is the Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship.

Delivered by Cranfield University, this ten-week programme explores legislative and policy approaches to cyber security and the corresponding implications for national security, commercial opportunity, crime prevention, and the right to privacy.

For fellows, taking part in this programme is more than just a professional milestone; it’s a catalyst for long-term change.

Class of 2020 Chevening alumnus Predrag Puharic’s story is a testament to this.

Read on to find out how Predrag leveraged his Chevening Fellowship experience to advance his career and revolutionise the cyber security landscape in his home country.

How did you use your Chevening experience to make a positive impact back home?

‘Bosnia and Herzegovina lacked an independent and trusted institution to strengthen cybersecurity capacity for academia, civil society, and independent media.

Drawing on my Chevening experience, I founded the Cyber Security Excellence Centre (CSEC) – the first initiative of its kind in the country. CSEC has since become a recognised regional hub, providing threat intelligence, awareness training, and capacity-building projects supported by international partners.

In parallel, my professional journey led me into public service. I served as the Mayor of Sarajevo (2024–2025) and currently as Deputy Mayor, where I combine technical expertise with executive leadership. These roles allow me to demonstrate how international education and fellowships can translate into tangible public impact.’

How did your Chevening experience help you to achieve your goals?

‘Chevening gave me credibility and access to a powerful international network. The fellowship at Cranfield strengthened my academic and practical understanding of cyber policy, while also connecting me to mentors and peers who remain invaluable today.

It was also a platform from which I gained further recognition: after Chevening, I was selected for the CRDF Fellowship at Purdue University and later for the US State Department’s IVLP programme. These opportunities were possible because Chevening had already established me as a trusted and internationally engaged professional.’

What are your plans for the future?

‘My goal is to scale the impact of the Cyber Security Excellence Centre across the Western Balkans and further develop it into a regional hub for resilience, research, and training. At the same time, I will continue contributing to governance, whether in public office or through policy advisory work, where integrity and international cooperation remain central.

I see myself as part of a hybrid generation of leaders: rooted in technical expertise, strengthened by international fellowships, and committed to serving society through transparent and accountable governance.’

How could studying in the UK with a fully funded Chevening Fellowship help you achieve your goals?

Applications for several fellowship programmes are open until 7 October. Find out more and apply!

The BBC’s commitment to inclusion was particularly meaningful for Isabella, who brought her own lived experience as a deaf professional to the internship.  

‘The BBC’s Rethink Disability festival really inspired me. It showed how the media industry can become more inclusive and accessible. It pushed me to make sure my own work and the spaces I create are open to everyone.’ 

The internship also brought personal growth. Isabella describes how mentorship from senior leaders, like BBC News Executive Producer Miriam Quansah, gave her the confidence to advocate for herself and step into new opportunities. 

‘She taught me to actively seek opportunities and ask to be part of projects that will further my growth. This mentorship from someone who has built teams and driven innovation across geographies gave me insights that have been crucial in my artistic career, helping me approach high-level contacts and stakeholders.’ 

Beyond these mentorship relationships, the connections she fostered with senior figures at the BBC have been just as important. 

‘Colleagues from the BBC Monitoring’s Data Hub team were so generous in teaching me new tools and ways of thinking. Those relationships are still a source of guidance and support.’ 

Now working full-time as an artist, Isabella says the internship gave her new skills and the confidence to achieve greater impact with her work. 

‘I push creative boundaries while carrying forward the design sensibilities, inclusive storytelling, and audience awareness I developed at the BBC. The Chevening BBC internship gave me not only skills but also a global perspective, showing me that creativity and communication can drive change across borders.’ 

‘I have taken part in fellowships in other countries, and the experiences are very different because of the contextual mismatch between, say, Germany and Zambia or the U.S. and Zambia.’ 

For Josiah, the best part about studying in the UK was: 

1. The way his classes challenged him  
2. The opportunity to take part in research 
3. Hearing directly from experts about different approaches to constitution building 

‘I didn’t imagine I could sit with professors discussing constitution building and not feel out of my depth, but I managed.’ 

Outside the classroom 

Josiah embraced networking as a vital part of the Chevening experience. With fellow scholars at Cardiff, he co-founded the Cardiff Hikers Club. They met regularly to travel around the UK and walk through different areas of the country.  

‘Many of the scholars who were part of the Cardiff Hikers Club are still close friends of mine today.’ 

Impact back home 

Before he began his Chevening Scholarship, Josiah had recently joined the Chapter One Foundation, an organisation committed to promoting and protecting human rights, constitutional governance, and the rule of law. After returning to Zambia, his career began to flourish, and in 2024, he was promoted to Executive Director. 

‘I’ve grown so much within my organisation [because of Chevening].’ 

He continues to apply his networking skills through the Chevening Alumni Association in Zambia, actively contributing to its charitable work.  

‘Because of the breadth of the Chevening network, I’ve been able to interact with some Zambian senior lawyers who [were] Chevening scholars. They’ve provided support and partnership… there is so much partnership and knowledge exchange among Chevening alumni.’ 

That knowledge exchange, especially around constitutional law, will be necessary. Josiah’s Chapter One Foundation is leading a consortium of Zambian civil society organisations that are advocating for constitutional reform. Building a constitution that represents all Zambians is a tall mountain to climb, but Joseph Kalala is equipped to play his part in the process. 

Living and learning in the UK 

According to Anelize, the academic experience offered exactly what she was looking for. The MPP challenged her to think about how to apply policy theory in practice.   

She found the studies challenging, especially as she adjusted to expressing herself mostly in English. The experience, she admits made her ‘less intellectually arrogant’ and broadened her perspective. She excelled in her programme, contributing a research paper on big data, tax administration, and government trust for the BSG’s Integrity Programme.  

The cultural opportunities also exceeded Anelize’s expectations. She visited museums, shows, and historical sites in Oxford and London. However, the most profound aspect of her experience was the people she met.   

‘I never lost an opportunity to go to someone’s house.’ 

She remains close friends with fellow Cheveners to this day.  

Making an impact at the highest level of government   

Meeting other Cheveners and Oxford students from different disciplines and countries gave Anelize new insights and different perspectives on policy issues, expanding her ability to problem-solve and innovate. 

‘Doors began to open for me because of my master’s degree. Oxford has a power in people’s minds.’ 

This cross-cultural approach to policy prepared her for greater leadership responsibilities when she returned to Brazil. 

Since 2023, Anelize has served as the Attorney General of the National Treasury under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.  She now leads the legal side of Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, encouraging her team not only to provide legal advice but to think creatively about policy solutions. 

‘Since I arrived at my current position, I started a movement to not only provide legal advice but try to stimulate [my team] to think outside of the box.’ 

Her current work includes shaping Brazil’s response to tariffs imposed by the United States. She and her team balance legal protection for industries with policies that improve the lives of communities. 

Outside government, Anelize continues to make an impact. She serves on the board of Serenas, a nonprofit founded by a fellow Chevener that works to prevent gender-based violence.  

She also mentors young women in the Alumna programme, another non-profit founded by a Chevening graduate, and remains actively engaged with the UK Embassy and the Lemann Foundation. 

Reflecting on her journey, Anelize believes Chevening gave her the confidence to step into uncomfortable spaces and take risks that reshaped her career.  

‘I made myself uncomfortable to take advantage of opportunities.’

‘Women . . . in business especially, are usually told that they can’t be at the right places or they might not be enough. Chevening was this realisation for me that there are no limits if you trust yourself.’ 

Why did Irma choose Chevening? 

As a young woman from a small rural town, Irma had always dreamed of studying abroad. What set Chevening apart from other scholarship programmes was the freedom to choose her own course of study. That freedom led her to Oxford Brookes, and to a year of discovery both in and outside the classroom. 

She went to symposiums on hospitality and marketing, took part in course-sponsored trips, and travelled to London to meet with her professional industry mentor. She was invited to speak at Oxford University about the differences between the Georgian and British hospitality industries, a unique opportunity made possible by her connections via Chevening to the British Embassy in Georgia.  

‘Every week I was somewhere.’ 

Her dissertation research led to even more practical experience. She conducted interviews with managers at various luxury hotels in London, and observed first-hand how global leaders in hospitality operated at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hyatt Park London. 

‘Developed countries are several steps ahead of [Georgia]. It was great to observe how things are done in the UK.’ 

Turning learning into impact 

By the time she returned to Georgia, Irma was determined to use her experience to help others.  

‘I had this vision that I would come back to Georgia and work more on women’s development, I wanted to do something for my country.’ 

Together with other Cheveners, she founded the Women Career Mentorship Hub, which selected 30 young women and matched them with professionals in their fields, most of whom were Chevening alumni. 

‘Those are the years when you need support. I knew I had needed someone at this time of my life. I wanted to be that someone that I didn’t have.’    

The Women Career Mentorship Hub gained national recognition and helped young women in a wide range of industries. It was also partially funded by the FCDO.  

‘Mentors were so motivated to teach and share with the next generation.’ 

Today, Irma works as a freelance business and marketing consultant, with a focus on hospitality. She continues to mentor women entrepreneurs, and in February 2025, she became a business management mentor for UN Women. 

Her Chevening Scholarship not only transformed her own career but also gave her the platform and confidence to open doors for other women in Georgia and beyond. 

Growing up in Salta, a resource-rich province in northern Argentina, Manuel witnessed how land rich in natural resources didn’t necessarily translate into better lives for the people around him.

‘My mission is to help drive investments in mining and renewable energy that foster growth while safeguarding the environment and human rights.’

As the world transitions to clean energy, the demand for critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt is rising. But without good governance, mining these resources can damage the environment and make life harder for the people who call these regions home.

‘As a lawyer, I feel responsible for contributing to the design of regulations and policies that prevent these outcomes.’

Before Chevening, Manuel worked in Argentina’s public sector, modernising legal processes and promoting transparency, and later in a leading law firm focused on mining and energy where he built a national team focused on regulatory reform and environmental justice. His work combined legal expertise with a commitment to sustainable development.

According to Manual, receiving a Chevening Scholarship changed his perspective. Manuel studied International Minerals and Energy Law and Policy at the University of Dundee, one of the world’s leading institutions in this field. He conducted research, gave lectures, and joined global discussions with policymakers and sustainability professionals.

‘Receiving a Chevening Scholarship has been transformative. I have gained not only academic knowledge but a truly international perspective on mining and energy industries.’

From scholar to changemaker

Back in Argentina, Manuel will bring his international experience home.

‘Meeting scholars at Chevening´s events, I realised many of them are pursuing similar goals in their countries, expanding my perspective and reinforcing the importance of building a global network to tackle shared challenges.’

He plans to lead regulatory reforms in energy and mining, shape sustainable policies, and strengthen academic links between the UK and Argentina through new courses on critical minerals.

Long-term, he aims to enter public service, helping to shape inclusive and sustainable policies at a national level.

‘I aspire to be a public official with decision-making authority, in my province, or at national level.‘

Are you interested in becoming a future leader in this field?

The UK is home to world-class universities offering courses in critical minerals. 

If this area inspires you, learn how you can apply.

Indigenous communities in the Chiquitano Dry Forest region live close to jaguar habitats, but many see the animal as a threat to their safety and livestock, associating it with danger and loss. These perceptions, combined with external pressures from the wildlife trade, make conservation difficult.

Faced with this challenge, a group of Bolivian Chevening alumni came together to find a solution.

With the support of the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund (CAPF), they put together a plan to shift indigenous communities’ attitudes towards jaguar conservation.

The power of education and film

Working directly with indigenous communities, the Chevening alumni involved in this CAPF project worked hard to create a safe space for dialogue and learning.

The team led a series of interactive workshops across four communities: San Pablo Sur, San Isidro, San Juan, and El Carmen. During these workshops, they explained the ecological importance of jaguars and other native animals, addressed the human-wildlife conflict, and presented strategies for coexistence.

To make the information more engaging, they brought along life-size models of jaguars. Many of the participants admitted that seeing the models helped ease their fears, as they had always imagined them to be much bigger!

A central part of the CAPF project was the screening of Jaguar Spirit, a powerful documentary directed by Chevening alumna Emi Kondo that portrays the cultural and environmental significance of jaguars in Bolivia.

Screenings took place within rural communities, including a special showing in San Pablo Sur, where part of the film was originally shot. This fulfilled a promise to bring the story back to its people, allowing them to see their own forests and culture represented on screen, in their own language.

With popcorn included, the screenings became both an educational and celebratory event.

Inspiring the next generation

As part of the CAPF project, the team also engaged with students at Carlos Herrera High School in Concepción, the principal education institution for youth in the region. As well as watching the documentary, senior students participated in workshops and created posters about jaguar protection.

Helping young people to build pride in their natural heritage was a particular focus for the CAPF team, who were inspired by the words of UK broadcaster, biologist, and author Sir David Attenborough:

Creating a lasting impact

In total, nearly 200 people participated in the workshops and screenings.

Across the board, surveys conducted before and after the activities showed a significant shift in perception. While most people initially expressed fear or hostility toward jaguars, afterwards they reported greater understanding, a more positive attitude, and increased openness to conservation messages.

Some community members even requested future activities to ensure that wildlife conservation becomes a part of their children’s day-to-day lives. In the spirit of Chevening, this is a testament to the fact that the project didn’t just raise awareness of a pressing environmental issue; it also helped to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.