Shayan Gul’s Success Story (Chevening Scholar)
About You
I am Shayan Imran Gul, a feminist climate activist and public policy aspirant from Islamabad, Pakistan. Over the past four years, I have worked extensively at the intersection of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), climate justice, and political participation, particularly centering young girls, Afghan refugee women, and transgender women in advocacy. My work has taken me from grassroots communities in flood-affected Balochistan to global platforms such as COP29, where I represented feminist perspectives on climate action and feminist intervention in public policy processes.
Also check, How to Win Chevening Scholarship Application Guide
My Journey Before the Scholarship
With a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Quaid-i-Azam University, before applying, I had been working on intersectional feminist interventions for over 4 years. My work on SRHR women’s political participation and climate justice often felt constrained by systemic barriers and cultural barriers, whether it was limited access to resources, a lack of inclusion for women in policymaking, or the absence of trans and refugee women in governance. Women-led spaces and initiatives were often discouraged and faced an extra baggage of negative connotations. These gaps inspired me to look abroad for advanced training in public policy, where I could gain both academic depth and leadership exposure.
Working with grassroot communities led to the realisation that interventions are only effective and sustainable if coupled with effective and inclusive policy implementation. This sparked my interest in public policy. However, a good policy can only be implemented through impactful and meaningful leadership built on feminist principles. This realisation sparked my motivation to apply for the Chevening scholarship, the world’s second most competitive leadership scholarship.
Also check, Chevening Scholarship Application Guide
The Application Process
The Chevening application is highly competitive, requiring four essays (on leadership, networking, career plan, and studying in the UK), references, and a clear career trajectory that aligns with FCDO’s global development goals. What helped me most was being very specific and impact-oriented rather than just listing achievements; I highlighted how my work created ripple effects for marginalized women in Pakistan, particularly women impacted by the climate crisis.
Preparation involved months of researching UK universities, speaking to alumni, and refining essays through multiple drafts. I also prepared early for the interview stage, focusing on how my future work connects back to Chevening’s mission of creating leaders who drive change in their home countries.
Tips & Strategies That Worked for You
Authenticity matters: Instead of writing what I thought the panel wanted to hear, I stayed true to my feminist vision. Your story must be reflected through the essays. The panel wants to know what sets you apart from the other applicants.
Show continuity: Link your past experiences with your future plans clearly. Add a personal motivation to the work you have started.
Fit the puzzle: Try to find a gap in Pakistan’s current setup of your field and build on what you have done to address the gap, and how you will catalyse your efforts further.
Practice interviews out loud: Confidence in delivery is as important as the content. Take the interview as a conversation. Remember, the panel already liked you if you have made it this far.
Mistakes to avoid: Don’t make your essays generic. Vague goals like “I want to help my community” won’t stand out; you need concrete, actionable ideas. Avoid wordy sentences and quotations in your essays utilise the word limit smartly.
Also check, University of Southampton Scholarships 2026 Application Process
Life After Winning the Scholarship
Winning a Chevening opened doors beyond academia. I am currently pursuing Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, which offers not only academic rigor but also exposure to policy labs, international conferences, and cross-disciplinary learning.
Life in the UK will also give me a chance to immerse myself in feminist and climate justice networks globally, while still carrying my grassroots connections with me. From collaborative research to advocacy platforms, the opportunities have multiplied in ways that I could not have imagined before the scholarship.
Advice for Future Applicants
• Start early: Give yourself at least 3–4 months for applications.
• Engage with alumni: They know the process inside out and can offer valuable insights. Do not be afraid to reach out to alumni via LinkedIn; people are more than happy to help.
• Tell a story: Make your application narrative-driven; panels remember stories, not lists.
• Show return impact: Be very clear on how your degree and networks will feed back into your home country. Be sure to underscore how you will bring back your learning to Pakistan for a bigger impact.
Recommended Resources & Strategies
• Chevening Website & Guidelines: The official handbook is your blueprint—follow it closely.
• LinkedIn & Twitter (X): Connect with past scholars for insights and mentorship.
• Personal Strategy: Give yourself deadlines; it could take more than 1 draft for a single essay.
