The First 60 Days of Studying in London
This blog is posted on behalf of Chevening scholar Ahsan Syed, MSc (LSE)
London is a city that truly has something for everyone, regardless of their interests or motivations. The city is home to numerous parks and gardens, a vibrant nightlife, a large collection of free museums and art galleries, an endless supply of musicals and theatres, and a budding underground live music scene. My time here has been nothing short of spectacular, and it has been flying by — there never seems to be enough hours in the day to see and do everything that I would like to!
What really stands out to me is the intellectual community at the London School of Economics (LSE), where I am currently studying my MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation. Nowhere else have I been able to have spontaneous conversations about the Brazil presidential elections whilst in line for my morning coffee, attend a classical music concert of a famous French pianist at lunch, and debate the social and environmental trade-offs of fossil fuel energy at the campus pub — all in the same day!
As one of the most international universities in the world (my program of 42 students itself represents 25 different countries), LSE definitely lives up to its reputation. Every day the university hosts globally renowned speakers and researchers to talk about their groundbreaking discoveries. I particularly enjoyed a presentation by Kate Raworth on ‘Doughnut Economics’ — how to meet the bare minimum social and physical needs of societies without overshooting the ecological ceilings and planetary boundaries of the region in which those societies are based. I highly recommend anyone not familiar with Doughnut Economics to have quick browse-through Kate’s website: https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/.
It has also been a privilege to meet and connect with other Chevening scholars. On October 20th, 1700 Chevening scholars at universities across the UK convened in London for Chevening Orientation. There was an incredible level of excitement in the conference hall as students displayed their traditional form of dress, waved their country flags, and looked for any excuse to erupt in applause and cheer. I had the pleasure to attend with my fellow Canadian Chevening scholar Sania Khan, who is currently studying at the University of Edinburgh (see photo).
I am extremely thankful to the Chevening Scholarship program and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office for this incredible experience. I would highly encourage any Canadians contemplating postgraduate studies to consider applying to universities in the UK and to the Chevening Scholarship Program!
