Turn down Chevening scholarship?

[Rebecca15]

Hello grad cafe,

 

This is probably foolish, given Chevening is prestigious (or so I hear) and my course is fully funded. But I am unable to get over the fact that I'm mandated to return to my home country for at least a period of 2 years. So why did I apply in the first place when I knew of this beforehand ? ( because I applied for other scholarships too but this is the only one I managed to bag). 

 

So my query to the boards - what are the implications of not upholding this condition? is there anybody out there, for whatever reasons, did not return to their home country or they did but not for the entire 2 year period? and what implications does this have. I've read on a few forums of similar situations but with the fulbright scholarship and I can't presume the two have similar terms and conditions. 

 

I also hear that Chevening is not evil and if one can prove with ample evidence that their career trajectory is best placed outside their home country, would they relent? A lot of uncertainty here, so some guiding light would be well appreciated. 

 

Cheers

 

[TakeruK]

Hey there,

 

As you said, the Chevening is not evil, and they are not the one responsible for this requirement. Because these requirements are generally negotiated via treaties (as they form part of foreign student visa statuses), it's a quid pro quo type of thing and the 2 year home residency requirement when funded by government money for study in a foreign country is standard. I am subject to a similar requirement (I'm Canadian, studying in the US and will have to return home to Canada for 2 years).

 

It might help to know which two countries you are talking about. I think the Chevening is from the UK right? You should check the details on the exact visa status you would have in your country of study. For me, I am on a J-1 status in the US, and my home residency requirement means that I cannot apply to another J-1 or another immigrant class visa until I satisfy the 2 years requirement. However, I am able to stay in the US on other, non-immigrant class visas (e.g. the TN visa) or go to a different country altogether. In fact, I never have to return to Canada if I don't want to. And finally, I can also appeal to the Canadian government to ask for a waiver of this requirement. 

 

Also, the J-1 status in the US allows for 1-3 years of "academic training" for a first postdoc after my PhD (1 year for most fields, 3 years for STEM fields) as an extension to J-1 status. So, at the start of my degree, the 2 year requirement is a problem I didn't have to worry about for another 8 years. A lot of things can change in 8 years, so I felt that the right thing for me to do was to take the opportunity I had at the time and worry about the 2 year home residency later. 

 

(** Note: If you are not a non-American planning to attend a US school, then the details of J-1 above does not apply, but you should find out what the equivalent requirements for your host country are. There may be similar concepts though!)

[Coffee&books]

Thanks TakeruK for your input on this. It was indeed very helpful and the closest answer I have been able to find online. Great to see that they might not be as inflexible if there are good reasons. 

I would like to revive this thread and see if there is anyone out there who was actually in that situation, either because they had a better opportunity abroad after or because they wanted to continue with a P.hD.

best
 

Edited April 5, 2016 by Coffee&books

[bringap]

Please advise me am also in the same predicament. I have just completed my msc and the university has offered me a fully funded scholarship. I am a civil servant and the government has extended my study leave. I studied my msc under the chevening scholarshipand now i can't extend my visa due to their 2 year rule. Is there a way of going around this rule, i have an undertaking with the government to return to my job upon completion of my phd. Please help and advise....

[sus]

Hi to all, I am also interested in knowing more details about this...

Edited November 21, 2016 by sus

[camwolf]

On 11/11/2016 at 6:15 PM, bringap said:

Please advise me am also in the same predicament. I have just completed my msc and the university has offered me a fully funded scholarship. I am a civil servant and the government has extended my study leave. I studied my msc under the chevening scholarshipand now i can't extend my visa due to their 2 year rule. Is there a way of going around this rule, i have an undertaking with the government to return to my job upon completion of my phd. Please help and advise....

Hello! Could you please tell me what decision you eventually made?