RENÉE McDonald’s higher education journey seemed to have come to an end when she was told that she had not been selected as a Chevening scholar to study in the United Kingdom in 2023.

But even as her dream stalled, McDonald, an attorney-at-law, was determined that she would not let it die.

“I realised that I really needed and wanted a master’s degree to get further in my career and I could not afford it. It was as simple as that,” reflected McDonald, who was overjoyed as she participated in the official welcome-back reception of the 2024 Chevening scholars on the lawns of the British High Commission in St Andrew last Tuesday.

Not deterred by initial rejection, McDonald made a bold second attempt and was selected as one of 13 scholars under the programme, earning a place at Queen Mary University of London to pursue a master’s degree in Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law.

She told the Jamaica Observer that she ended the one-year course on a high as she graduated with distinction and later received an e-mail that informed her she was the top performer in her programme.

“When I got the e-mail, my jaw dropped to the floor because I had moments where I wasn’t sure about how I was performing because a distinction over there is 70 [per cent] and up. I’m used to 90s, so when I got a 70 and got told I was doing excellent, that used to leave me confused,” McDonald said.

“I was also around a lot of bright people every day. In my critical thinking and writing class I was comfortable raising my hand and sharing, but in most of my classes I was genuinely a little insecure or intimidated and wouldn’t raise my hand and get involved. But then I realised quickly that I needed to be telling myself, ‘You are doing well, just keep trying to do the best you can’. So when I found out that I topped the programme I was very proud of myself, and happy that I went there and did exactly what I set out to do and exceeded my own expectations,” added McDonald, who works at the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel by day and transforms into associate artistic director of the Cultural Dance Theatre Company at nights.

She told the Observer that her time in London was academically, culturally, and personally immersive, a fulfilling experience as it allowed her to explore her passions, engaging with courses and topics in film law, fashion, robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, while balancing her love for the performing arts.

“I was very involved in dance and theatre there as much as I could while on a student visa and balancing that with my technology media and telecommunications law degree which had all topics that I was just totally excited by. I’m very passionate about film [so] I did film law. I love fashion, I love cyber — anything AI and robotics — and to be able to jump head-first into that kind of material from an academic side was very exciting for me, and then to also balance that with my creative and cultural side was just genuinely fulfilling,” she said.

Despite warnings about the weather and fears of isolation McDonald described her experience as seamless, highlighting that she made friends quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed her time in the UK.

“Even though London is raved about all the time, I did get warnings about the weather and depression. But I’m grateful that I didn’t experience any of that. I adapted quickly and I made friends quickly. It was really strange but I felt at home, especially because I had my Jamaican friends there, so I didn’t feel homesick. I genuinely had an incredible year,” she said with a smile.

McDonald urged others to take the chance at applying and to try again if met with failure, emphasising that the Chevening Scholarship is crucial for brilliant professionals who cannot afford to pursue higher education.

“Not only do I encourage others to apply, I encourage others to reapply. I’m a testament that [if] you don’t get things on your first attempt, you can try and try again and just keep on going, keep on persevering, pushing through, and an amazing opportunity awaits you,” she said.

The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s fully funded international programme aimed at developing global leaders. It supports outstanding professionals with leadership potential to study for a one-year master’s degree in the UK, covering tuition fees, flights, visa costs, and a monthly stipend.

Jonathan Cook presents a certificate to Renée McDonald during the official welcome-back reception of the 2024 Chevening scholars on the lawns of the British High Commission in St Andrew last Tuesday (Photo: Naphtali Junior)