I have been asked many times to tell this story. I feel this is the right time, as I move on to other aspects of my life, you must understand how it led to this moment and how everything aligned.
Back in 2021, I had just completed my BSc at the University of Bamenda. On the graduation ground all dressed uniformly, I watched my lecturers matched with pride. Taking the stage, they talked about how we have been found worthy both in character and learning to be awarded this degree. We were encouraged to come back and peruse higher education. Excitement consumed the air, until I looked at the magazine and saw that all my lecturers had studied abroad! My big laugh!
What they didn’t know is I had been waiting for 4 years to get my degree so I could taste the waters of international education. So, I immediately began applications. At first, I was considering filmmaking programs, Journalism - Documentary et al. My target was primarily the US and Germany with full funding in mind. I started with UC Berkeley Journalism School, got to the interview stage on my first try, and was burned. I tried Columbia Journalism School, and I was dumped like a lover lol. Next, I was on the DAAD Leadership for Africa scholarship, a filmmaking program, same outcome. The following year, I tried again repaying applications fees over half a million, Cameroonians would say ‘money for Land’, wheee out the door.
At this point, everyone was tied, my professor, my family. They would ask; ‘that your scholarship thing na how?’ I would respond, ‘I di still find am’, ‘You go get am na when?’ There was a silent pause, I didn’t know, I couldn’t have known the answer.
As if the doubt around me wasn’t enough, my mom fell seriously ill that year. I couldn't even write an essay. I suspended the applications and focused on her, few months after her demise, I started the process again because I believed in this process. So, I retook the IELTS. In 2022, this test cost 157k and now it’s 187k and climbing. This time, I had a self-evaluation on why I wasn’t getting yesses; was I applying for the right program? Was my CV Ok? These schools and countries I have been targeting, are they the right ones for me? I had to change my strategy. I renamed my application folder ‘Season of YESSES’, if the Yes didn’t come before we will force it this time around lol. Secondly, I had a consultation session on my CV, I understood I had been off track.
In all my failed attempts, I never considered the UK in my applications. With encouragement from people close to me, I decided to try, and I understood I had to switch programs, but to which? During this period, I began my professional internship under le Routes De Cheferie Program, placement at La Liberte Arts group. During this internship, I got to learn more about the Cultural and Creative Industries, in much contemplation, I decided to switch programs, from filmmaking and Journalism/media studies to Cultural and creative industries, Arts organizations, cultural Entrepreneurship, and cultural anthropology.
I channel my energy towards the Commonwealth Master’s scholarship with a nomination secured through the HALI Access Network by Open Dreams where I have worked for over 6 years (Those who know this process know getting this nomination can be a limitation) and the DAAD leadership for Africa Scholarship.
The former was the bulkiest scholarship ever. I had to write 11 essays, get 3 letters of recommendations, and choose 3 target institutions in the UK in which I wanted to study, with a lot of back and forth, reviews from some Open Dreams’ scholars. I finally submitted.
Well, it didn't end there. I now must apply for admission into my 3 target institutions. My first choice was the creative industries and art organizations program at Queen Mary University, London. I applied and got admission in 3 days. Now I had to wait. While I waited from November to about May, I applied again to the DAAD Leadership for Africa scholarship, this time with a cultural program in mind. This waiting period and anxiety; I remember having read over 5 published reports of the Commonwealth Scholarship, I read that the selection pool kept slimming down, and worst of all I applied for an unpopular course. I became paranoid. To my greatest surprise, I received three YES emails. I was provisionally selected for the Commonwealth Masters scholarship program tenable at Queen Mary University, London to study for an MA in creative industries and art organizations. This mail came in on the 14 of May 2024. I couldn't sleep that night; I kept picking up my phone to check if it was real.
Writing to you from London, there are a few lessons I learned and want to share with you who are pursuing graduate scholarships.
1) While in school, please try to get second-class upper honors and above
2) The program you are targeting may not be what's best for you; be open to changing it, be flexible.
3) I never considered the UK before but who knew that that was where I was meant to go? Try to open your horizons, even with African schools.
4) After every failed application season please consult with experts so they show you what you have been doing wrong
5) Those in the process of getting their undergrad degree please try to get working experience while in school and after. Getting that needed experience you might discover a new purpose and the necessary change you need in choosing a course.
6) Do try to get involved in leadership activities and build Professional and good relationships with your teachers and professors; for they have a greater role to play in your applications.
7) Get some application buddies who will always encourage you because mental strength is very vital if you leave the rejections affect your up there everything with crash
8) I want you to know this, like I always tell my mentees, I do not know when you will have that scholarship; some people get it on the first try, second, or even 5th, and some wait 5 years. Everyone has their journey. You never really know but to get a scholarship there are three things involved
A_ Is this the right time?
B_ Right program and scholarship?
C_ Is this God's will?
When you get these three ticks then it will align
9) You will have to understand how to deal with the emotions that come with others going ahead of you, (People you know getting their scholarships before you) it shouldn’t derail you from your journey, everyone has their paths to walk.
10) Trust in God and seek support from your parents for when you gain favor in their sight, you must thrive.
When you find the alignment that you need to succeed in this journey, everything falls into place.
Afungfege Evita
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