Why did you decide to pursue this course at this university?
After graduating with a BA in law, I began working on human rights and historical memory initiatives in Colombia. Those experiences sparked a growing interest in the social sciences and humanities, which led me to pursue a Masters in history at Universidad de los Andes in the city of Bogotá.
During my studies, I became particularly interested in the history of science and environmental history, subjects that helped me think differently about the relationship between:
- knowledge
- law
- society
- the environment.
These interests continued to shape my work at the Colombian Truth Commission and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. There, I found myself bringing together concerns about human rights, armed conflict, and peacebuilding with questions about:
- diversity
- expertise
- nature
- objectivity
- science.
As these themes increasingly converged in my professional and academic life, I became interested in the idea of 'peace with nature'. This led me to seek a programme that would allow me to explore that concept in greater depth and from an interdisciplinary academic perspective.
Why did you apply for a Chevening Scholarship?
A close friend who studied at Oxford on a Chevening Scholarship encouraged me to apply and played an important role in guiding me through the process. It was not an immediate success, as I applied three times before receiving the scholarship. My final application was for the MPhil History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge.
I remember feeling uncertain about whether Chevening would support such a specialised area of study. My interests sat at the intersection of human rights, peacebuilding, environmental justice and the history and philosophy of science, which was not a conventional path.
However, I believe my application clearly conveyed both my enthusiasm for these questions and my ambition to contribute to emerging conversations around 'environmental peace'. The scholarship allowed me to develop those ideas further and connect them to a broader vision of leadership and public impact.
What did your Chevening Scholarship cover?
The scholarship covered my:
- flights to and from the UK
- tuition fees
- visa and NHS costs
- a monthly stipend for living expenses.
Having that level of support allowed me to make the most of both my academic studies and the broader opportunities that came with living and studying in the UK.
What did the Chevening application process involve, and how competitive was it?
It involved completing a detailed form covering my academic and professional background, as well as writing a series of short essays on leadership, networking and career goals.
Chevening is an exceptionally competitive scholarship, attracting tens of thousands of applicants from around the world each year, while only a relatively small number are ultimately awarded scholarships.
The process is rigorous at every stage, from the written application to the interview, requiring candidates to demonstrate not only academic potential but also leadership, a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to creating positive impact in their home countries.
What do you wish you'd known before applying for Chevening?
Looking back, I think my first two applications taught me two important lessons.
First, I spent too much time highlighting the achievements of the teams and organisations I worked with and not enough time explaining my own contribution. Social impact is always collective, but Chevening is looking for evidence of individual leadership within those collective efforts. Applicants need to be clear about the specific ideas, actions or initiatives they brought forward and the difference those contributions made.
Second, it's important to understand and engage with the priorities of the British Embassy in your home country. Take the time to learn about the programmes it supports, the partnerships it builds and the issues it prioritises.
In my case, those interests already overlapped significantly with my own work, but I had not made that connection explicit in my earlier applications. Once I did, I was able to present a much clearer and more compelling case for why I was a strong fit for Chevening.
What did being a Chevening scholar involve?
Being a Chevening scholar involved much more than studying for a Masters degree. It meant joining a large and diverse international network of people committed to creating positive change in their countries and fields of work.
At Cambridge, around thirty Chevening scholars were studying a Masters during my year, creating a vibrant community within the university. We also had opportunities to connect with the wider Chevening network through major events in London, including the welcome and farewell gatherings that brought together hundreds of scholars from across the world.
My journey began even before arriving in the UK, when the British Embassy in Colombia hosted an event for my cohort as we prepared to leave for our studies.
What stood out most was the sense of connection. Chevening places you within a global community of professionals, academics and public leaders united by a desire to make a positive contribution to society. That network is one of the programme's most valuable and lasting benefits.
What stood out most from your course and wider Chevening experience?
I studied a very specific subject: the history and philosophy of science. Coming from a background in law, human rights, and peacebuilding, I was not entirely sure how ideas about expertise, environmental peace, and justice would be received. What I discovered at Cambridge and through Chevening was an extraordinary willingness to engage with those questions.
The Department of History and Philosophy of Science gave me the intellectual freedom to pursue my own interests and was supported by two outstanding supervisors who encouraged me to think more deeply and critically about my work. At the same time, I found communities of students and scholars eager to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
Beyond the academic experience, I was fortunate to build lasting friendships, particularly with my fellow Colombian Chevening scholars. Their support was invaluable during the challenges of adapting to a new academic environment, culture and way of life.
Ultimately, what stood out most was the combination of intellectual openness, academic mentorship and personal community, which made the experience both rewarding and transformative.
What makes a strong Chevening candidate?
It may sound cliché, but passion is the first thing that comes to mind. Strong Chevening candidates are deeply committed to the issues they care about. For me, those issues were human rights, peacebuilding, environmental justice and epistemic justice. Whether your interests are broad or highly specialised, that commitment needs to come through clearly in your essays and interview.
Beyond passion, I would highlight preparation and persistence. I applied three times before receiving the scholarship, and each attempt helped me refine my ideas, strengthen my application and gain valuable professional experience. Looking back, the process itself was an important part of my development.
Chevening seeks people who have a clear vision of the contribution they want to make in their countries and communities. The strongest candidates are not necessarily those with the most impressive CVs, but those who can show genuine commitment to a cause and the determination to pursue it over time.
What are your career ambitions?
I have returned to Colombia to continue my work in transitional justice, international criminal justice and human rights. I believe that respect for human rights, together with a broader move from punitive models of justice towards restorative approaches, is one of the most important challenges facing contemporary societies.
Throughout my career, I hope to contribute to that shift and to the difficult but necessary work of building more peaceful and inclusive societies. While progress can be slow, I remain convinced that lasting change is possible through sustained commitment and collaboration.
My ambition is to combine a career in public service with teaching and research. I hope to continue working on justice and peace-related issues within public institutions while also contributing to academic debates that can inform policy, practice and public understanding. Ultimately, I see both paths as part of the same commitment to advancing human rights and peace in Colombia.
How do you hope your Chevening experience will help you make an impact in your home country or wider field?
The goals of sustaining peace, protecting human rights, and rethinking justice are long-term endeavours that require people to work towards them every day. However, they also depend on the willingness of institutions, organisations and governments to support meaningful change.
I hope my experience at Cambridge and through Chevening will enable me to contribute to those wider efforts. Both experiences gave me new perspectives, valuable networks and greater confidence in pursuing ambitious ideas.
As I continue my work in Colombia, I hope to use those opportunities to help influence the broader changes needed to build more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
What advice can you give to others applying for a Chevening Scholarship?
- Start the application, even if you are unsure of the outcome. The process itself is a learning experience. Writing the essays forces you to reflect on your achievements, ambitions and motivations in ways that can be valuable regardless of the result.
- Learn from other people. Listen to the advice of friends, family, mentors and former Chevening scholars. Reaching out can feel intimidating, but those conversations often provide insights that cannot be found in official guidance documents.
- Be persistent. I was successful on my third attempt, and each application taught me something new about myself, my work and my goals. If studying in the UK is an ambition you genuinely want to pursue, do not let an initial setback convince you that it's out of reach. Growth often happens in the process of writing, rewriting and refining your ideas over time.
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