News and blogs

The Chevening community extends to all corners of the globe. Here is the latest news on what is going on in the Chevening network, and blogs from members of our community.

Five times the British weather has let me down

by Chevening Scholars - Class of 2019,

After around an eight month application process from start to finish, Chevening Scholars finally arrive in the UK in September/October – also known as autumn. And spring, summer, and/or winter depending on the day. A common message people in the UK send to one another is, ‘what is the weather like where you are?’, because […]

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UK events in December

South West England Clearwell Caves’ Christmas Grotto (29 November – 24 December) If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable Christmas experience, then you won’t find a quirkier attraction than Clearwell Caves. Wrap up warm and visit Father Christmas in his Grotto located underground in the 4,500 year-old mine caves. From the old mine tracks […]

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Eight of my best Orientation moments

by Chevening Scholars - Class of 2019,

In the weeks since Orientation 2019, scholars have had the chance to step back and reflect on Orientation, and meeting 1,750 scholars from 141 countries and territories around the world. For some, the best moments consisted of seeing those they hadn’t seen since leaving their home countries, and for others, it meant meeting new people […]

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A Mexican celebration of death

by Diana Infante-Vargas, Chevening Scholar and Social Media Ambassador

There is a popular song in Mexico with lyrics to the effect of, ‘If I die away from Mexico, let them say I’m asleep, and have them bring me back home.’ The concept of death in Mexican culture is one unlike any other in the world – as we mourn death, we also celebrate it […]

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Was my Airbnb host a…witch?

by Samrat Choudhury, Independent Journalist and Author

In my defence, I had made the bookings in a rush. I was in London, and my India SIM card wasn’t working so I couldn’t get the one-time passwords required for online bookings. It was only at the last moment that the problem was resolved, and I did all my bookings in one go, afraid […]

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Six of my best purchases so far

by Chevening Scholars - Class of 2019,

If you’re moving to the UK, your packing list will probably include a few key items which you will want to bring with you. Among these; your toothbrush, stuffed bear, comfortable walking shoes, all 312,441 items from your wardrobe, and one item of dry food that you know customs won’t take from you – as […]

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When parallels meet

by Sevgi Kaymak, Communications Assistant

If you’ve watched the 1979 satirical British comedy, ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’, you will no doubt remember the scene in which Brian exclaims to a large audience, ‘You are all individuals’, and to which they respond (in unison), ‘Yes, we’re all individuals’. In 1979, it was probably easier to make a statement such as […]

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