Meet Dr. Ijeoma Omenugha, our first featured Chevening scholar from Nigeria. She is a medical doctor studying MSc Global Public Health and Policy in Queen Mary University, London and founder of HeroesForHerNG, a network of young humanitarians driving causes that aim to foster a more gender-balanced world in terms of access to education, healthcare, and other opportunities.
Read her interesting interview below.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Dr. Ijeoma: My name is Ijeoma Omenugha. I am a Medical Doctor by profession, and I love to help women and girls access optimum healthcare.
COURSE AND UNIVERSITY?
Dr. Ijeoma: I am studying for an MSc in Global Public Health and Policy at Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE DURING CHEVENING APPLICATION PROCESS:
Dr. Ijeoma: I would say that my journey was a unique one, I didn’t really encounter significant challenges apart from drafting my essays. I knew the impact I had made and what I wanted to pass across but starting to write the essay was the most challenging time for me.
HOW DID IT FEEL TO BE CHOSEN FOR CHEVENING?
Dr. Ijeoma: It feels overwhelming, you know, like a dream come true. Especially when you didn’t expect that your work would be recognized. I used to see the Chevening scholarship as being reserved for some group of people, maybe because of the profile of past scholars, so last year I decided to give it my first try, and boom!!! I got in. You can imagine how that felt!
DonateWHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO DURING YOUR SCHOLARSHIP YEAR?
Dr. Ijeoma: For now, I am just still enjoying London… lol and attending my classes. I hope to really expand my network as much as possible, and attend as many conferences and academic gatherings as I can. It was part of the reason I chose London and also to have a feel of the multicultural atmosphere in the UK.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FUTURE CHEVENERS?
Dr. Ijeoma: Your dreams are valid. Don’t feel intimidated by other people’s work. Continue to push until it clicks. And keep trusting God.
ANY PARTING WORDS?
DR. Ijeoma: Just know that I am rooting for all of you. You need to have this Chevening experience. It’s life-changing. All the very best in your pursuit.
