FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, August 30, 2020 — Shanea Strachan, The Bahamas’ 2020 Chevening Scholarship winner, is preparing to leave early in September to pursue a Master’s Degree in Producing Film and Television at Bournemouth University, Dorset, United Kingdom.
Ms. Strachan, who is employed at the ZNS Northern Service in Freeport, is scheduled to officially begin her studies on Monday, September 21.
“My expectations at Bournemouth University are to learn as much as I can learn while I am there and to experience every bit of the United Kingdom’s culture,” Ms. Strachan said in an online interview on Sunday. “I expect to network with other scholars and creatives and to create lifelong friendships and partnerships. I am truly grateful to God for this opportunity to serve as this year’s Bahamas Chevening Scholar and I intend on representing my family and my country well.”
According to Chevening’s website, “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, we 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.”
The website adds, “Because these scholarships are fully-funded (flights, accommodation, and course fees are all included), you are free to focus on achieving your professional goals and maximising the experience of a lifetime. You will live and study in the UK for a year, during which time you will develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. On completing your studies, you will leave the UK equipped with the knowledge and networks necessary to bring your own ideas to life.”
Ms. Strachan obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts from New Mexico Highlands University and has worked in marketing, social media coordination, and production in The Bahamas and in the United States. She has demonstrated her commitment to supporting women’s rights initiatives in her voluntary work within the American film and television industry and, closer to home, with collaborative initiatives such as Gyal on a Mission, an organization aimed at empowering young Bahamian women through mentorship, outreach, and scholarships.
