My Journey To The UK: Ehinomen

Ehinomen is currently finishing her MSc Finance at the University of Bath.

I suppose an important question is ‘Was it worth it?’

I suppose an important question is ‘Was it worth it?’

My journey to studying in the UK has been quite an adventure, full of challenges and victories. When I first began, I had a lot of questions and uncertainties. I knew I wanted to study abroad, outside Nigeria, but the path to achieving this goal was not as clear as I had hoped.

This journey began to take shape when Mark Bentley, founder of the agency Bentley GSC, offered assistance to me on LinkedIn. We first met in person during his visit to Nigeria, and that meeting turned out to be a pivotal moment for me. His expertise and support helped clarify many of the uncertainties I had and he guided me through the complex steps involved in studying abroad, providing invaluable advice and making the process more manageable.

One of the toughest parts of this journey was renewing my international passport. What should have been a straightforward process turned into a year-long struggle. The delays and administrative obstacles were incredibly frustrating, but this experience taught me a lot about patience and resilience.

“Despite not getting the Chevening Scholarship, I kept pushing forward.”

In 2023, Mark Bentley suggested I apply for the Chevening Scholarship. Writing the essays for this prestigious award was a real eye-opener. It made me think deeply about my goals and how I could make a difference. Even though I didn’t win the scholarship, the process was incredibly valuable. It helped me improve my writing skills and sharpen my focus on my future.

Despite not getting the Chevening Scholarship, I kept pushing forward. Mark played a key role in my application to the University of Bath. He reviewed my scholarship essay and provided helpful feedback, which made my application much stronger. Because financing my studies was a major concern, I had to consider applying to universities with lower tuition fees. But even then, funding was still a big issue. This led me to think about postponing my plans to study abroad.

“But just when I thought I might have to give up, I received fantastic news .. It felt like all the hard work and determination had finally paid off.”

But just when I thought I might have to give up, I received fantastic news in May 2023: I was awarded a full tuition fee scholarship to study at the University of Bath! This was a huge relief and a big moment of joy. It felt like all the hard work and determination had finally paid off.

With the scholarship in hand, I started preparing for the move, and this involved gathering all the necessary documents, including a TB test. What should have been a quick test turned into a two-day ordeal because of inefficiencies in Nigeria’s system. This was frustrating, but it taught me to stay calm and keep pushing forward.

The visa application process was another major challenge. The fluctuating exchange rates made everything more stressful and expensive, but thankfully, Bentley GSC was there to guide me through it. When I finally went to my visa appointment, everything went smoothly, and I received my visa in a week and three days without needing to pay extra for priority processing. This was a massive relief and a sign that things were finally falling into place.

Just when I thought everything was going perfectly, I faced another last-minute issue. Even though I had paid for my flight in early July, I found out a week before my departure that my tickets hadn’t been booked. This added yet another layer of stress! But it was resolved just in time for my trip.

“The journey had been long and challenging, but it was also incredibly rewarding.”

After all the hurdles, I finally arrived in the UK. The experience was a mix of excitement and nervousness. The journey had been long and challenging, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned that overcoming difficulties helps us grow and that the path to our dreams is rarely smooth.

Since arriving in the UK and starting my studies at the University of Bath, I’ve met amazing people. My course, the MSc Finance, has broadened my perspective and I feel like I have a much deeper understanding of the world. Despite the initial challenges, I’m really enjoying my time here and am excited about what the future holds.

Looking back, I am deeply grateful to Bentley GSC for the unwavering support and guidance. Mark Bentley’s dedication was crucial in helping me reach my goal. This journey has shown me the importance of persistence, flexibility, and having someone who believes in you.

And yes! It was worth the stress and struggle. I may not be exactly where I want to be quite yet, but I believe this path will definitely lead to success. Here’s to the future and the new experiences it will bring!

 If you are interested in following in Ehinomen’s footsteps, apply for Bentley GSC assistance.