Both Favour Munachimso Anosike and Mendos Fidelis have just completed MPhil degrees, in Heritage Studies and Advanced Materials for Energy Transition respectively. Yet both say that, at first, they “did not believe it was possible.” Now, the pair reflect on their journeys, from Nigeria to Cambridge, and the support, from the Mastercard Foundation and St Edmund’s, that paved their way.
What was your journey to Cambridge
Favour: My journey to Cambridge was one of hope, perseverance and uncertainty. Before joining the University, I studied Archaeology and Tourism at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I graduated with First Class Honours as the best graduating student in my department. I later worked as a curator in an institutional museum during my one-year mandatory National Youth Service.
After my service year, life was challenging, but I held firmly to one dream: to pursue graduate studies at a world-renowned university. I knew that achieving this dream would require financial support, so I actively sought funding for postgraduate opportunities. It was during this search that I discovered the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at the University of Cambridge. This discovery was one of the many significant steps in my journey that eventually led me to Cambridge, where I studied an MPhil in Heritage Studies as a student of St Edmund’s College.
Mendos: Prior to Cambridge, I spent three years working in the cement manufacturing industry. At that time, my commitment was centred on finding solutions around sustainability to help decarbonise the cement sector, which contributes about six percent of global CO2 emissions. Therefore, I was intentional about affiliating myself with professional organizations where I could partner with experts to be able to drive the solution.
While I was focused on professional development, I was encouraged by a friend to explore graduate studies in Cambridge. I applied to Cambridge without any hope of getting in. But, by December, I was scheduled for an interview. That was a moment of excitement for me. I mean, Cambridge, one of the best universities in the world, listing me for an interview?
But then the day of the interview came, and it was the unluckiest day of my life. As an operator in a cement manufacturing plant, I was so busy that day that about thirty minutes before the interview, I was unsure if I could make the interview. In the end, I found someone to assist me with the system I was running, and I went for the interview. After the interview, I told my friend that I thought I messed up my chance. A few weeks later though, I received a conditional offer to get into Cambridge, and that moment again restored hope into the possibility of someone like me getting into one of the world’s best universities.
What impact did the MasterCard Foundation’s support have on this journey?
Favour: The Mastercard Foundation provided access to an opportunity that would otherwise have remained a dream. Because of the scholarship, I was able to focus on my studies, conducted my fieldwork in Nigeria, and had the opportunity to explore Cambridge without constant worry of financial constraints.
The biggest difference for me, though, was everything beyond the funding. Through some of the programmes and events organised by the Mastercard Foundation, especially the leadership training, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what leadership actually entails. Against my previous perception of leadership as simply directing people, I learned that leadership is about creating meaningful impact, inspiring people to share in your vision, and working alongside them to bring about positive change. This new perspective has changed how I think about leadership and the kind of leader I want to become.
Mendos: It was one thing to have a conditional offer and another thing to get the offer confirmed, and that was where the struggle began. I lost hope because having looked at the conditions, particularly the financial requirement, I felt that I could not afford to go.
But, in April, I checked my phone, and there was an email from Mastercard Foundation stating that I got a scholarship. The joy in me was so great that I didn’t know whether to jump, to smile, to laugh, or to dance on the street like a madman. Because the one condition that would have been so difficult for me to meet was the funding, and Mastercard made that dream come true.
What has been a highlight of your time at St Edmund’s?
Favour: Coming from Nigeria and arriving at Cambridge was a remarkable transition, but the warmth I experienced from the college community helped me feel a sense of belonging. One of my most memorable experiences at St Edmund’s was being invited to have coffee with the Master and the senior tutor during my first term. Through our conversation, I learned more about the College’s values and community, and I felt genuinely welcomed and at home. Having the opportunity to interact with the person leading the College gave me a strong sense of belonging and encouragement. We shared thoughtful conversations about our aspirations, our journeys and what we hoped to achieve, which continued to inspire me throughout my studies. Looking back, these experiences reflect the warmth, generosity and sense of community that define St Edmund’s College. They are memories I will carry with me long after I leave Cambridge.
Mendos: An important highlight of my time here at St Edmund’s is to have been invited to the Norfolk Feast. This was a high-level event that was strictly by invitation. And I was privileged to be among the few persons that were invited. The event provided an opportunity to connect with members of the wider college community, exchange ideas, and build friendships with people who share similar interests and values.
But I can’t forget the ‘everyday life’ of the College. The seminars I attended were a good exposure to the quality of research that academics in the College are committed to. And that provided inspiration for me in respect to my own research interests. It motivated me to want to do more, because having listened to the quality of research and the passion with which that research was communicated, I feel I have enough motivation to step up, to be more committed, and be more focused on actualising the goals that I set at the beginning when I started my journey in Cambridge.
What would you most like to say to your pre-Cambridge self?
Favour: To my pre-Cambridge self, I would say “keep believing in yourself. Don’t belittle your ability. Don’t allow uncertainty to stop you from applying for opportunities that seem beyond your reach.” I say this because there were moments, I doubted myself. I questioned whether I belonged here. But one thing got me through those moments, which was that I decided to face my fears.
I’d also like to tell myself to embrace the opportunity to become part of St Edmund’s welcoming and diverse community. Come with an open mind and be willing to engage with people from different backgrounds, because some of the most valuable aspects of the Cambridge experience come from the relationships and networks you build beyond the classroom.
Mendos: One thing I would like to say to my pre-Cambridge self is to always give it a go. Even when you feel you are not qualified by your standards, give it a go. Even when you feel it’s not possible, give it a go. Always give it a go, especially when it comes to pursuing your dreams. My journey to Cambridge feels like a miracle, but at the end of the day, it happened because of the hard work that I put in. So, it’s a reminder that I should continue to believe in myself. I mean, I would have missed out on this opportunity if, at the time the conditional offer was available, I decided I was not capable. So, all of this was made possible because at some point I decided to try.
All of us here at St Edmund’s are incredibly proud of Favour and Mendos, who are a testament the to the incredible amount of hard work that many of our mature students invest in their studies. To find out how more about our one-of-a-kind community, please visit our Undergradute and Postgraduate Study pages.
