New Perspectives in the UK

What motivated me to study in the United Kingdom?

First, this academic break in my professional career came as part of God’s plan, who led my wife and me to seek different ways to strengthen our professional profile so that we could meet the new challenges posed by the dynamics and demands of socioeconomic development around the world.

After exploring several funding options, we came across Chevening, one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programmes and one of the few that provides full funding for tuition, accommodation, and living expenses throughout the period of study in the UK. We also found that the references and feedback from Chevening scholars and people familiar with the programme were so positive that they encouraged us to apply, despite how competitive the selection process is.

At the same time, we found that the UK is home to some of the world’s most recognised and prestigious universities across different academic fields. In particular, we discovered that the University of Sussex and IDS were ranked first in the world for Development Studies. In addition, Sussex is located near Brighton, a coastal and tourist city that attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year, exactly the kind of place my wife and I had always hoped to live in.

Finally, a former Chevening Scholar recommended that we complete the entire application process through Across the Pond, whose team was exceptionally diligent and incredibly helpful in securing a place in the 2025–2026 cohort. All these reasons led us to embark on the most exciting adventure we have experienced in recent years.
 

What was my academic, personal, and cultural experience like?

Living in the United Kingdom was an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, it was a year full of learning, challenges, new experiences, and quality time with my wife and my little dog. Today, I can say that I have had very few experiences that have truly changed my life, and without a doubt, living in the UK has been one of them.

I can now see what is happening in the world from a different perspective, better understand many realities taking place on the other side of the globe, question things that I once took for granted, and analyse the context of my own country with a much more respectful, critical, and objective perspective. Ultimately, I believe this experience helped strengthen my character, making me more humble, understanding, and tolerant.

Academically, it was challenging because the research approach adopted by British universities represented a radical shift in my way of thinking, as I had spent many years working as a designer and implementer of public policies. However, the university provides extensive academic support and resources to strengthen the areas where we may have certain disadvantages, constantly encouraging you to reach your full potential and produce truly outstanding academic work.

In addition, the course content, seminars, workshops, and the exchange of experiences were genuinely enriching, offering completely new and innovative perspectives from Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States, and Latin America. The amount of information we received was remarkable, always leaving the feeling that there was never enough time to absorb everything that the university, the country, and the network of students, professors, and academics placed before us.

From a cultural perspective, studying in the UK allowed me to discover many unique aspects of British culture, including its good manners, delicious food, enjoying a beer at any time of the day, running outdoors during winter, swimming in the sea, enjoying outstanding Asian cuisine, drinking hot chocolate in winter, spending time in nature and outdoors, sharing quality time with others, and appreciating the warmth and simplicity of the people, among many other things.

Beyond that, however, the United Kingdom brings together cultures from every corner of the world, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in an extraordinary diversity of perspectives, beliefs, and values that, together, greatly enrich your cultural background.
 

What are the main lessons I am taking away?

Far too many to describe in this space. I would highlight the development of a more critical and academic perspective for understanding the issues affecting our region with greater objectivity; the importance of building a global network with people from around the world; gaining a deeper understanding of global population mobility and its effects and benefits on regional politics and economies; learning to appreciate and make the most of every moment; and recognising the importance of supporting programmes such as Chevening, which give people the opportunity to experience all of this when they would otherwise be unable to do so through their own financial means.
 

What do I wish you had known before arriving?

I believe that no one arrives in the UK fully prepared for everything they are about to experience. However, I would have loved to have had more specific information about the country’s climate, which is neither as cold as some people say nor as gloomy as others claim.

It would also have been helpful to know a little more about the British character: their love for animals, their respectfulness, honesty, enthusiasm for sports, outdoor activities, good food, and beer.

Finally, I would have liked to better understand the academic approach of each university, as well as the dynamics of seminars, lectures, essays, examinations, and other academic activities. I believe this would help people prepare themselves, even psychologically, before beginning this remarkable university adventure.

- Javier