Chevening Scholar Bethelhem Shitahun Mihret from Ethiopia Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom

My name is Bethelhem Shitahun Mihret, from Ethiopia, and I am currently a Chevening Scholar at Goldsmiths, University of London, pursuing a master’s degree in Social Justice in Education.

My journey has always been shaped by one mission: to ensure marginalized communities, especially persons with disabilities, have fair and equal access to education opportunities that are often denied to them.

This passion comes from both my lived experiences and my professional commitment to disability inclusion.

Before starting my Chevening journey, I worked as a UN Volunteer with UNICEF Ethiopia in disability inclusion. My experience there was incredibly supportive and transformative. I worked in an environment that valued inclusion, innovation, and impact, and this allowed me to grow professionally while directly contributing to improving opportunities for children and young people with disabilities.

Currently, I also serve as a GPE Youth Leader, advocating for equitable and inclusive education systems globally. My work focuses on education justice, disability rights, and ensuring young people influence policy and reform.

Educational Background

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Special Needs and Inclusive Education at Addis Ababa University, graduating with an outstanding CGPA of 3.93/4.00. I was honored as the College Gold Medalist of the Year 2023, which recognized both academic excellence and leadership contributions.

Beyond academics, I co-founded the Disability Care Club at Addis Ababa University, creating a platform to support students with disabilities and raise awareness about inclusion. I am also serving as the Director of the Special Needs Department at the African Union Students Platform, where I advanced disability-inclusive student leadership initiatives across Africa.

I am also proud to be an alum of the Young African Leaders Initiative Cohort 55, and in 2025,

I was recognized as InAble Best Disability Influencer, which further strengthened my credibility as an advocate and changemaker.

How I Prepared for Chevening

My preparation strategy was very straightforward: clear storytelling, leadership evidence, and a strong future vision.

I built my essays around my work in disability inclusion, youth leadership, and education justice. I focused on showing not just what I had achieved, but how those experiences connect to my long-term mission of transforming education systems for marginalized learners.

For IELTS, I had a short time to prepare, but I approached it strategically by practicing previous online exam questions intensively, which helped me become familiar with the structure, timing, and expected performance standards.

What Made My Application Stand Out

I believe my application stood out because it combined:

• Strong academic excellence
• Proven leadership in disability inclusion
• International development experience at UNICEF
• Continental leadership through AU student platforms
• A clear mission for social justice in education

Most importantly, my application showed a consistent story of impact—from university, volunteering, youth policy, and global advocacy.

Advice for Future Applicants

My advice is simple: be authentic and strategic.

Chevening values leadership, networking, and future impact. Use real stories, quantify your achievements, and clearly explain how your academic program will help you solve a real problem in your country.

Also, never underestimate the power of a strong professional recommendation from a supportive work environment. My time at UNICEF Ethiopia taught me that when you work with excellence and purpose, the people around you become part of your success story.

Chevening is more than a scholarship for me; it is a leadership platform that will help me return stronger to champion disability-inclusive and socially just education systems in Ethiopia and beyond.