Friend or Foe?

In the story telling world, it is believed that rodents in the house are the ones to inform rodents outside where the fish basket is hidden. This applies in real life. Only those who know or are close to you can harm you with the information they have about you.

Sometimes we feel betrayed and then hurt over what friend's do/did. Well, it's true no one is perfect, but a real friend won't put himself in a position to deliberately hurt you (It does happen though, once in a while, but the magnitude is forgiveable).

So how do we know a friend?

* In times of need: If someone can't help you, it doesn't make the person a foe. A friend goes beyond his comfort to make you comfortable. A friend is unselfish and wishes to serve you.

* Testimonies behind you: For instance my best friend, Franklin will always fight for me even when I was physically unavailable. The same with me. So the saying goes you know your true friends when they talk about you in your absence.

* Friendship can't be forced. It just happens. So you know when someone is a friend. It goes with some understanding, feelings, concern, mutual interest and care.

* If you trust someone with your life then the person is a friend. If you can let someone guard your food or house, then he/she holds a lot of trust space in your heart. For instance, a friend took another's prison detention so that his friend could go say final goodbye to his family. He did come back to take his punishment and relieve his friend of it!

Though it seems normal to share gossips, personal details and secrets with friends, it is wise to reduce the amount of personal information you give out. Info like bank ID details is very personal and must be kept as such.

Chevening Awards 2020

Chevening scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. Whilst there is no ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, they are looking for the kind of people who have the passion, ideas, and influence to provide the solutions and leadership needed to create a better future.

Since 1983, Chevening has brought over 50,000 exceptional professionals from around the world to study in the UK through scholarships and fellowships funded by the UK government. This unique opportunity has helped to elevate careers, transform communities, shift and deepen perspectives, and build intercontinental bridges.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship you must:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
• Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended.
• Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university by the time you submit your application. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK.
• Have at least two years of work experience.
• Apply to three different eligible UK courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by 16 July 2020.
• Meet the Chevening English language requirement by 16 July 2020

You must ensure that you meet the minimum work-experience requirement for the scholarship before submitting your Chevening application. Chevening Scholarships require that applicants have at least two years of work experience.

If you do not already have the required level of work experience, you will be unable to submit your application.

Eligible types of work experience

The types of work experience that are eligible for Chevening can include:

• Full-time employment
• Part-time employment
• Voluntary work
• Paid or unpaid internships

Work experience can be completed before, during, or after graduating from your undergraduate studies, however, any mandatory employment that counted towards your undergraduate or postgraduate course would not be eligible.

Value of scholarship

a) A full Chevening Scholarship normally comprises:

• Payment of tuition fees (see point 1.2.a in relation to MBA fee caps).
• Economy travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route for you only.
• An arrival allowance.
• The cost of an entry clearance (visa) application for you only.
• A departure allowance.
• A contribution of up to £75 for TB testing, where this is required.
• A travel top-up allowance.
• A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and living expenses. The monthly stipend will depend on whether you are studying inside or outside of London. These rates are subject to annual review. Stipend payments will be made to you on or around the 21st of the month for the following full month. Where you arrive in the UK or leave the UK partway through the month, the stipend for that month will be adjusted as appropriate.