Chevening Scholarship Recipient, Natalia from Ecuador, Shares the Story of How She Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue Her MSc in Emerging Technologies and Design at the Architectural Association in London

Hello there! My name is Natalia Juca Freire, and I am from the southern mountains of Ecuador. I pursued an MSc in Emerging Technologies and Design at the Architectural Association in London, thanks to the Chevening Scholarship. Growing up in a rural area of the Andean region connected me deeply with nature from an early age. Since then, I have been driven by the vision of connecting my community with nature through built environments that enable eco-centric lifestyles. I chose this program because it offered an incredible curriculum that allowed me to merge ecology and architecture through technology—an unexplored world for me at that time. Moreover, this experience helped my professional practice as an architect to design sustainable solutions for the built environment, moving beyond conventional approaches in Ecuador.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I pursued my MSc in Emerging Technologies and Design (EmTech) at the Architectural Association through the Chevening Scholarship Program. This scholarship covered 100% of my tuition fees, housing, daily expenses through a monthly stipend, and my flight tickets. The amount of the stipend varies each year and is calculated according to the cost of living in the city where you are based in the UK.

Educational Background

My educational background played an important role, especially when applying to universities and programs in the UK. As an architect, I tailored my portfolio, CV, and personal statement to align with the core values of my chosen program and institution. For example, they required an architectural design portfolio focused more on the process than the results. Similarly, the professional objectives and vision I expressed in my personal statement were closely aligned with what I previously wrote in my Chevening essays.

Chevening, on the other hand, is more focused on leadership profiles. Beyond GPAs, they look for people with a clear vision of how to improve their communities. It does not matter whether your focus is politics, business, science, or art; what matters is proving that you have already been making a positive impact in your community through your work, and how your chosen program and Chevening network will strengthen that impact in the future.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Architectural Association School of Architecture?

I first learned about the Chevening Scholarship through social media, specifically X (Twitter). Then, I gathered most of the information about the Chevening application process and master’s programs on their official website. I also prepared for the TOEFL by taking a specific course at my home university and practicing with free online resources, including YouTube.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Chevening Scholarship?

In the first stage, I dedicated significant focus and energy to writing the required essays for Chevening. For me, it was less about the amount of time and more about the level of intention and effort I put into the process. I conducted extensive research on what they were really looking for. Then, I focused on finding coherence between everything I had done in my professional career and my future objectives, weaving them into one clear vision. That was the most important, and the hardest, part of the process. I also joined social media groups where other applicants shared tips, questions, and webinars, which were a very helpful resource.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I was very authentic in my application. I shared my process, my flaws, and how I turned them into strengths, using them to connect with people and create communities. I also conducted extensive research on Chevening and on the UK Embassy in my country, learning about their priorities, programs, and areas of focus, since they are the ones who make the final decision.

Of course, you never really know what makes an application stand out, but based on intuition, I believe one key factor was sharing that I come from a region in Ecuador where the embassy’s presence was minimal. Most Chevening alumni in my country come from the capital, so I made it clear in my interview that I could help expand Chevening’s impact to other regions of Ecuador. I think that point strongly resonated with them.

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

I would not change anything about the application process; it came at the perfect time and in the perfect way and helped me to determine meaningful future objectives. However, if I were to go through the Chevening experience again, I would better prepare myself for the master’s program I chose, especially in learning the software tools they used. Having prior expertise in those tools would have made some of the harder parts of the coursework much easier.

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

There are many applicants with perfect GPAs and outstanding career paths, but Chevening is looking for leaders—and that requires more than academic excellence. It is essential to define what leadership means to you and to share past experiences that highlight your social skills and your ability to lead.

If you feel you need more time to develop meaningful initiatives that demonstrate leadership, give yourself that time. Many Chevening Scholars were successful after several attempts. Show how you have contributed to making your community better. Just as important is how you tell those stories: impact is not measured by how big your actions are, but by how meaningful they are.

Show your capacity to make a difference in your country. Show what makes you unique and what you bring to the table. It can be anything—you just need confidence, self-awareness, and as much information as possible about Chevening, your embassy, your field of interest, and your career path.

Finally, don’t forget the practical side: submit your application on time! Do not leave it until the last minute, as you might run into issues with the platform.

Good luck! ✨