How a Paraguayan EFL Teacher Secured the Fully Funded Chevening Scholarship for a Master's in Education and Technology at UCL

Mba’éichapa? My name is Celina Sanabria, but people call me Celi. I am from Asunción, Paraguay, a country in the heart of South America. I am an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher and a certified translator. Currently, I am studying a Master’s Degree in Education and Technology at UCL (University College London) through the Chevening scholarship. I decided to study this program because I am devoted to helping Paraguayans receive the education they deserve, and I aspire to continue striving for this through the application of technology in the classroom.

Scholarship Details

Chevening is a prestigious and highly competitive scholarship from the UK government. It gives emerging leaders from around the globe the opportunity to pursue a fully funded, one-year master’s degree at any UK university. This scholarship is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations. For the 2024/2025 cohort, 1.9% of all applicants were awarded the scholarship. Chevening looks for change agents with leadership and networking skills who are passionate about influencing positive change in their home countries.

Educational Background

As my undergraduate degree, I pursued a BA in English at the National University of Asunción, Paraguay. This program significantly contributed to my academic development, as all of my classes were taught in English, and this greatly helped me get more confident with the language. Throughout the course, I would write numerous essays, and this was key for my Chevening application, particularly with the essay writing stage. I was also very committed to keeping a high GPA, which was essential for both the Chevening scholarship and UK universities’ application.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to receive a scholarship from BECAL, the Paraguayan government’s scheme, and the Comité Paraguay Kansas to do an exchange program in the United States. This experience enriched my academic journey by exposing me to a different educational system and fostering my adaptability, cultural awareness, and global perspective.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for University College London?

To prepare for my university applications, I started the process well in advance to ensure I had enough time to meet all the requirements thoroughly. Some universities required lengthy essays, so I began working on these immediately after submitting my Chevening application. I conducted extensive research on how to craft an effective personal statement and structure my CV. I found valuable guidance on the universities’ official websites.

I also asked for help. I asked for feedback from university mentors and Chevening alumni, whose insights were essential in refining my personal statement. I also conducted thorough research on each university and the specific courses I was applying for. This allowed me to articulate my motivations for choosing each institution and program. This approach helped me present strong applications.

I studied with a personal tutor specialized in TOEFL preparation, who helped me develop effective strategies tailored to each section of the test. Additionally, I utilized the official TOEFL iBT website to do practice exercises and take a full mock exam. This helped me familiarize myself with the test format.

I also found the TST Prep TOEFL YouTube channel particularly helpful for practical tips and strategies. To improve my vocabulary, I created a glossary of new words, focusing especially on areas that were less familiar to me, such as scientific terms. Moreover, I practiced timing myself to improve my time management skills and ensure I could complete each section efficiently during the actual exam.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

I consider the Chevening application the longest, toughest, but at the same time fulfilling part of my application journey. I always viewed Chevening as something extremely difficult to achieve—and it truly was. I remember my university professors talking about the scholarship and saying, “It is a scholarship for brave people”.

I began to become familiar with the Chevening website around May 2023. I thoroughly studied each part of it, read blogs with advice from Chevening alumni, and attended talks organized by the British Embassy in Paraguay, where they talked about the application process.

I started drafting my essays in July. I reached out to one of my best professors from university, Ross, to review the essays and help me with the application. I still remember our first meeting—I was excited to show him one of the essays I had written – the one about leadership, and he told me I needed to rewrite it. He explained the approach I should take: "Tell your stories. Make your application unique." After that session, I felt frustrated, not sure about whether I could write essays that truly expressed what I wanted to.

However, I kept revising, rewriting, and dedicating countless hours to each essay. I started to deeply reflect on my life, considering every detail of my experiences. Ross’ advice was key to improve.

I applied the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure my responses effectively. Although there was always so much to share, I focused on specific situations and developed them in depth. I read and re-read the questions, ensuring I stayed aligned with what Chevening looks for. I highlighted my leadership skills, networking abilities, and crafted a future plan with a clear timeline, where my short- and medium-term goals naturally led to my long-term objectives.

After months of hard work, I finally felt satisfied and genuinely proud of each essay.

For the interview, I researched common scholarship and job interview questions, watched YouTube videos where Chevening alumni shared their experiences, and asked Chevening alumni and friends to help me with mock interviews (a special thanks to Gatti and Iva).

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe one of the key aspects is the time I dedicated to my application. Since I started soon, I had the possibility of revising, rewriting, and improving it. Secondly, I poured my heart into every essay and worked really hard to convey my essence and passion for helping my community.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Are Going Through the Process Again?

I believe I would have embraced every single moment of the experience. Even though the essay writing stage could be stressful, it is also an amazing opportunity for self-discovery. During the process, I learned so much about my skills and the experiences that have shaped who I am. If I were to go through it again, I would focus on enjoying the journey, reflecting on my achievements with pride, and trusting the process.

What Advice Would You Give for Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My first piece of advice is: apply! Just taking the step to apply is already a transformative experience.

Don’t be discouraged by the possibility of being rejected. I have met many Chevening scholars who were rejected in previous application calls, and they all say that each attempt helped shape and strengthen their future applications. In my own case, I have faced rejections from other scholarships in the past, and every experience taught me valuable lessons that made me a stronger candidate.

Trust that when the time is right, it will happen. Every effort you put into the process brings you closer to your goals, regardless of the outcome.

Also, believe in yourself, in your passion, in what you have done, and in what you aspire to do for your community. Remember, you are unique