Studying at the UK’s top universities: The story of three Uruguayans who made it happen

The story goes like this: In 1983, the then UK Foreign Secretary, Francis Pym, announced that the government had established a new government. Scholarships For students from all over the world. A year later, the programme, called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarships and Awards Scheme, welcomed its first 100 people to study for a Masters degree at English universities. In 1994 the programme changed its name to CheveningIn 2001, about 25,000 students studied in the UK. In 2024 there will be more than 57,000.

On August 6, Recordings To apply for the 2025-2026 scholarship, which is currently funded by the UK Department for Foreign Affairs and International Development and other partner organisations. The application requirements are simple: you must be a professional, hold a bachelor’s degree and have two years’ work experience. There is no age limit or English language level required.

Of these, 57,000 students were Scholarship beneficiariesThere are more than 200 Uruguayans. At the moment, ten of them are about to finish their Master’s degrees. In September, nine more will travel to start these processes. These are the stories of Fiorella, Mariano and Victoria, and how they had the same desire, without knowing each other – to live an experience abroad, to continue studying, to see the world – and the same way to try to do it: to apply for a scholarship in the United Kingdom.

He always knew he wanted to study at outsideThat’s why Mariano Allende, 34, a pharmaceutical chemist, first applied for a Chevening Scholarship in 2017. That time he made it to the final stage of a long evaluation and selection process, but was not among those selected. Five years later, in 2022, while reviewing his career plan at the company he worked for and after talking to references, colleagues and friends, he decided to change course towards digital health, a key area according to the World Health Organization, Mariano explains. “To achieve universal access and equitable and sustainable health systems.”

He knew the UK was ahead of the curve on this issue, so he insisted again with Chevening. “It’s more than just a scholarship to study. It’s program Committed to empowering future leaders, providing the opportunity to be part of a community of professionals from around the world, offering professional development opportunities during and after the Master’s degree.

Mariano is currently finishing his studies at University College Londonone of the largest and most prestigious universities in the UK, is pursuing a Masters in Digital Health and Entrepreneurship, while also interning at a startup that has developed a solution to diagnose mental disorders using artificial intelligence.

Adapting to the teaching methods was a challenge because they were different from what he knew. “However, university It provides you with all the tools and support you need to get the most out of it, exceeding my expectations in terms of access to information and advice. Including dozens of networking events with leaders in the region and very comprehensive additional training in professional career development.”

Beyond academics, “I have had unique opportunities outside of the curriculum, such as swimming at the London Aquatic Centre, where the Olympics were held, or celebrating Chinese New Year with the Chinese community.” students From that country. But, without a doubt, the most valuable thing is creating connections with people from all over the world, from different backgrounds and cultures, which enriches me on a personal and professional level.

“There’s been a before and after in my life since Chevening,” says Fiorella Santo, 40, an international studies graduate. She turns 35 a few years later. expertise exhaustion.

“I felt it was time to improve my academic knowledge in logistics and supply chain issues; at that time Uruguay did not have an approved proposal. Perfects “In those areas,” he said. He applied because, in addition to his master’s degree, he wanted to experience studying abroad.

He took three courses at different universities, wrote essays about his experience and career plan, went on several interviews, and in September 2019, he started his studies in logistics and supply chain management at Harvard University. University of Huddersfielda city in the west part of Yorkshire.

“The environment is like nothing a student can experience. LondonIt is a very small town that was once a center of textile production. Now the university is the epicenter and all the activity is centered around it. In the course I was studying there were no other students from Latin America, most were English and some foreigners from other cities in Europe. This allowed me to improve my English a little. However, the most important thing is that I was able to create very good connections and networks that still continue to this day.

Fiorella says that the Chevening programme not only allowed her to expand her network of contacts in the UK, but also helped her make new connections in Uruguay. “When I returned, I joined GBUA – British Universities Association Alumni, an alumni network that brings together all Uruguayan nationals who have studied in the UK.

When he arrived in Cardiff, in welshTo study a Masters in Data Science and Analytics, Victoria Friis from Kerikeri, then 27, knew no one. But Cardiff University had the experience. student This was very noticeable from the first moment. I quickly joined university groups, masters degree, hockey team, weightlifting team and CrossFit refereeing group in the UK.

the Master He joined the path he was on after studying accounting and management and focused his career on data. He had completed his graduate studies and a master’s degree in the specialty before applying for the scholarship.

“I chose the MSc in Data Science and Analytics, among other things, because it is jointly run by the School of Mathematics and the School of Computing, which was a big challenge since my undergraduate degree did not belong to either of those schools,” but also a great opportunity to learn and develop.

Although I studied the city and the university, the experience was different: more intense and challenging. Wander around Cardiff’s parks and take part in traditional celebrations EdinburghGoing to special events celebrated by sports teams, doing training at the university’s Institute for Innovation in Security, Crime and Intelligence or visiting places I didn’t know existed, made this time something beyond studies.

“I feel like I’ve been through so many things that I’ve changed and matured a lot. I feel a deep sense of belonging. I’m still Uruguayan of course, but I’ve integrated completely into British culture. Today, Wales and the UK have a special place in my heart.