Making the most of your Chevening experience

In 2007, when I received the letter confirming my Chevening Scholarship to study at Queen Mary, University of London, I saw it as an academic opportunity. What I did not yet realise was that it would shape how I think, work, and lead, becoming a catalyst for my entire career trajectory in central banking. 

Learn to think differently, not just study harder     

The Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) at Queen Mary is not only a place of learning; it is an environment that reshapes how you think. I was challenged to move beyond theory and engage with how regulation works in practice. Studying EU law in a diverse, international classroom changed how I approach problems. Listening to different perspectives taught me that better decisions come from open discussion, not individual certainty.  

This lesson, perhaps more than any single module, has proven indispensable throughout my career.  

Turn learning into confidence at work 

When I returned to Albania in 2008 and joined the Bank of Albania as a legal expert specialising in EU legal aspects of banking regulation, I quickly saw the value of my Chevening experience. I was able to dissect complex regulatory landscapes, identify critical intersections between Albanian and EU banking law, and contribute meaningfully from my very first days. 

Preparedness creates confidence. When you understand systems and how they connect, you can add value faster, even in unfamiliar environments. Practical skills make the transition from study to work smoother and stronger.  

Take responsibility before you feel ‘ready’  

Momentum must be sustained through ambition, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace challenges that stretch your capabilities. Within one year of my return, I advanced from legal expert to Head of the EU Integration Office, and subsequently to Deputy Director of the Foreign Relations Department.  

I did not pursue these titles for their own sake, but because I felt equipped to contribute to the monumental undertaking of monitoring Albania’s EU integration process. The ‘extra mile’ mentality that my professors instilled in me became more than a habit, but a defining characteristic of my professional identity.  

Progress comes from stepping into responsibility, not chasing status.  

Carry your skills across different roles 

Today, as Head of the Employee Relations Division at the Bank of Albania, my work has evolved, but the principles remain the same.  

Although the role is different from my legal background, the core skills are the same: clear thinking, understanding complex systems, and working with people from different backgrounds. Every aspect of my work today draws upon the foundations of my Chevening experience. 

What you learn in one field often becomes your strength in another. Keep your foundations with you, even as your role changes.  

Stay open to where your path leads  

To fellow Chevening scholars, past present and future, I encourage you to remain open to the unexpected. Your career will change as your grow. Plans evolve, industries shift, and the role you were meant to play may reveal itself only when you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone.  

Flexibility, an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and the strength of your network creates builds momentum and opens doors for ourselves and others.  

Stay flexible, stay connected, and keep learning.  

Enik Pogaçe is the Head of the Employee Relations Division at the Bank of Albania. A Chevening Scholar, he holds an LLM in European Law from Queen Mary University of London (2008) and has published extensively on banking regulation, data protection, and EU law integration. 

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