How a Bolivian Journalist Secured the Prestigious Fully Funded Chevening Scholarship to Study TESOL at the University of Essex

My name is Vanessa Méndez Brun, I am an empowered Bolivian journalist, and I am now living in the UK. Through the honor of receiving the prestigious Chevening scholarship, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at the University of Essex. For the last nine years, I have focused my studies on political science and media communication as a political journalist and TV news anchor, building a solid foundation in research, analysis, and effective storytelling. I have gained this work experience through my time at UNITEL, the number one television network in Bolivia.

UNITEL is a current member of the Latin American Information Alliance (AIL), a non-profit organization, operational since 2005, comprising 22 of the most important television networks from 22 countries across the Americas, the Caribbean, and Spain. During my time at UNITEL, I provided coverage of three presidential elections, including the social conflicts of 2019 when the former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, resigned from his position and left the country. Furthermore, I travelled across the country to report on the occurrences in my hometown, and I interviewed several national authorities such as the current president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, the former presidents Carlos Mesa, Evo Morales, and Jeanine Añez.

Further, at the beginning of this year, I was nominated by the Washington Foreign Press Center, U.S. Department of State, to represent my country and to participate in the international tour of journalists in the United States. This provided me with the opportunity to work with more than 20 political journalists from various parts of the world and to experience the presidential election in Las Vegas and Ohio.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I got the Chevening scholarship. The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious global program funded by the UK government to support outstanding individuals from around the world to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is aimed at those with leadership potential who are committed to making a positive impact in their home countries.

Chevening covers various expenses, including:

1. Tuition Fees: Full coverage of course fees.
2. Living Costs: A monthly stipend to cover living expenses during the study period.
3. Travel Costs: A return flight to and from the UK.
4. Additional allowances: Including visa application fees and an arrival allowance.

The program is highly competitive, and applicants are typically required to have:

• A strong academic record.
• Relevant work experience (typically two years or more).
• A clear vision of how the master's program will help them contribute to their home country’s development.

Successful candidates become part of a global network of alumni who are influential in their respective fields.

That is why now I am a member of Chevening, the world’s leading network of leaders, a network of more than 50,000 alumni worldwide, including prominent political, business, social, and academic leaders. I am part of the 1,9% of 70.000 applicants from 144 countries

Educational Background

Well, I am a news anchor and also, I am an English professor. I have studied Social Communication, and I did a master's in Higher Education at UMSA, thanks to a scholarship. I studied English when I was 12 years old, getting a great score of 93/100. This background created a great mix of my skills. I am applying to a master's degree in Linguistics, so as a journalist, I have great speaking abilities, and I already have experience teaching since I was 15 years old in more than 10 educational centers, which helped me a lot to demonstrate my leadership skills.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Essex?

I took the TOEFL test five times—it wasn't easy to achieve a good score. I enrolled in specialized classes and extensively practiced using videos and free exams available on YouTube. Eventually, I scored 100/120, enabling me to apply for numerous scholarships. Two years ago, I was shortlisted for the Fulbright LASPAU Scholarship, though ultimately not selected. With Chevening, I was placed on the reserve list in 2023 and was successfully selected in 2024. You need to be persistent.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

I made a list of all the requirements, letters of reference, essays, a personal statement, and the English test. I contacted some people who already got the scholarship, and they gave me good feedback. I practiced with them for my interview, it is a good tool to be in touch with people who have already made it. They are really nice, and you can contact them through social media.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

As for my future plans, I have a clear vision of what I want, and I’m committed to making a global impact. I actively participate in several social projects, including Tu Beca Bolivia, a platform that supports individuals who aspire to study abroad. Through our English program, we help students prepare for the TOEFL and guide them in applying for scholarships.

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

Maybe I will apply to the top universities, but I was too busy at work, and in the end, I chose a good university, but not the university of my dreams.

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

Be persevering, I didn’t get this scholarship at once, I applied to more than 5 programs, over and over, for the last 3 years. I never give, nor should you. A good friend told me once, ¨Some doors close and others open, and those are yours, so you should not forget to keep knocking on doors¨.