The Chevening Experience ft. Yusra ✨

Meet Yusra Mushtaq

Before Chevening, Yusra wasn’t sure she stood a chance. She didn’t have a high-profile academic background, had never applied for a scholarship before, and wasn’t even sure where to start. Like many, she had big dreams—UK, Germany, fully funded masters—but no roadmap. Fast forward to now, she’s studying MSc Planning and Management at Newcastle University as a Chevening Scholar 2024. What changed? She asked for help, trusted the process, and put in the work.

This is a reminder that you don’t need to be perfect to be selected. You just need to start.

Q1: What were you struggling with most before working with Ramsha’s Consulting?

Before working with Ramsha’s Consulting, I was facing a lot of uncertainty and questions about where to even begin. I wasn’t sure which scholarships would align best with my profile, my bachelor’s degree, and my professional experience. I also didn’t know which countries to shortlist or how to target fully funded opportunities effectively (So I had a lot of big names at that time in my mind, USA, UK, Germany, etc., which ideally everyone wants to).

Since I had never applied for a scholarship before and hadn’t secured any funding previously, I was worried about whether my background would be competitive. I didn’t have any publications, my undergraduate university isn’t from a well-renowned institution like UET, GIKI, PIEAS, NUST, and I had a gap in my studies, so naturally, I wondered if I had any real chance of success. On top of that, I didn’t know how to write a motivation letter or prepare a strong application that would showcase my achievements in the best light.

All of these doubts made me feel overwhelmed, and I lacked a clear strategy or plan.

Q2: What has been the most rewarding experience of your Chevening journey so far?

The most rewarding part of my Chevening journey has been the incredible community I’ve become part of. Meeting so many inspiring scholars from around the world has broadened my perspective and reminded me how much we can learn from each other when we share our stories openly.

Professionally, one of the highlights was my fully funded internship in Geneva, Switzerland interacting with organisations like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and International Trade Organisation (ILO). I approached Ramsha's Consulting again for guidance during the application process, and with her support, I prepared my documents, applied, and eventually got shortlisted and selected after an interview.

Travelling alone to Switzerland and managing everything independently, from applying for my visa to finding accommodation, taught me resilience and gave me confidence I never had before. I engaged with UN agencies and contributed to discussions on global issues I once only read about in the news. I still remember the first time I sat in a UN conference room, taking notes while delegates debated resolutions—it felt surreal to witness decision-making at that level.

After my internship, I explored Switzerland, a country I had always dreamed of visiting. It felt special to plan this trip from my Chevening stipend savings, and balancing professional growth with personal travel made the journey even more meaningful.

Personally, living and studying in the UK has taught me resilience and adaptability in ways I never expected. Before Chevening, I had never lived alone without my family or travelled completely by myself. Adjusting to a new country was both exciting and overwhelming. I remember the first night in my accommodation in Newcastle, surrounded by unpacked suitcases and wondering if I had made the right decision. The simplest things—finding halal food, figuring out how to register with a GP, understanding British humour, and even dealing with cold weather and snow—felt like small mountains I had to climb.

One of my personal achievements has been learning to cook. I’ll never forget the evenings I spent on video calls with my mother, following her instructions step by step and realising how easy it could be when I just tried. Cooking, which I was always scared of doing back home, has become something I now enjoy. Living on my own has taught me to be more organised and to take responsibility for my day-to-day life. Making friends from different countries has also been such a blessing. They have helped me so much with classwork, whether it was preparing presentations, studying for exams, or working on group projects.

This experience has not only shaped my career but also transformed me as a person. I am more confident, independent, and hopeful than ever before, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Q3: How has Chevening opened new avenues for you?

Chevening has opened doors I never could have imagined. Right now, I am working on my dissertation with my supervisor, and I am grateful for the professional relationships I have built. I now have contacts in Newcastle Metro, Transport for London, LNER, and Dublin Metro, who have generously offered their support and insights for my research. This kind of access and collaboration would have been impossible if I hadn’t been in the UK and part of this university.

Beyond academic opportunities, Chevening has connected me to an international community of professionals, from the Human Rights Council, trade and policy experts, negotiation specialists, the World Trade Organization, and the legal sector, who are eager to share their experiences and help each other grow. Whether it was getting advice about career paths, learning about international policy during my internship, or exploring new ideas through discussions with classmates, I have felt supported and encouraged every step of the way.

This journey has also given me the confidence to set bigger goals for the future. Knowing that I have such a strong network behind me has inspired me to think beyond traditional boundaries and explore ways to create impact not just in my own country, but globally.

Q4: What would you say to someone unsure about investing in scholarship consulting?

When I was considering whether to invest in scholarship consulting, I remembered a quote by a motivational speaker:

“For your continuous growth and to make yourself distinct from others, you have to invest in yourself.”

That thought inspired me to give it a try and see how it could work for me. I knew I needed someone who could guide me step by step and help me believe in my potential.

When I came across Ramsha’s Consulting on Instagram and read the testimonials, I felt hopeful for the first time in a long while. I decided to book an initial consultation to share all my questions, my previous setbacks, and the uncertainty I was carrying. During our first session, I was struck by how genuinely they listened. Instead of just offering generic advice, they took the time to understand my concerns, my failures, and my goals, and then outlined a clear, personalised plan that immediately made me feel motivated and optimistic.

What impressed me even more was their kindness and human approach. Unlike others I had contacted, who quoted huge fees in dollars even for an initial consultation, they offered a reasonable payment structure with instalment options that made the process accessible. It was clear to me that Ramsha's Consulting is not driven by materialistic motives but by a sincere passion to help people transform their lives.

Alhamdulillah, it worked for me and changed my personality in such a positive way. I always say, and I will keep saying, that beyond the consulting, she offered something rare: a package of humanity, encouragement, and genuine care. That level of support can only come from someone who is truly committed to empowering others.

Chevening Scholarship for 2026 is NOW OPEN! Reach out to us at hello@ramshasconsulting.com to take the first step in making your dreams come true.