In March, we held our annual Scholar Meet-up – an opportunity for Cowrie Scholars to come together, socialise, and learn from inspiring speakers and one another. Hanka, a 2024 Cowrie Scholar, reflected on her experience of the event.
My name is Hanka Mehager; I am a passionate biochemist, runner, and a proud Cowrie Scholar. On the 14th and 15th of March, I attended the annual Cowrie Scholar meeting, where I had the opportunity to not only meet the other scholars, but also the community that supports my university journey.
On Friday, I took over the Cowrie Instagram stories. I created a short voiceover video to highlight how the impact of my scholarship directly translates to real life, from attending labs to balancing academics. Sharing this publicly and talking to my fellow scholars about their experience was truly a full-circle moment! I was especially inspired by Nami, who studies Physics at the University of Exeter. Hearing how she navigated a what can be an underrepresented field while securing a summer-internship in her first year of studies reminded by that resilience and ambition aren’t just passive. You must take action to build them up.
Later that evening, we got to let loose with a friendly bowling session. The scholars and trustees were split into smaller groups, which gave us the chance to chat more casually and get to know each other outside the formal setting. It was fun seeing everyone’s competitive side come out. An honorary mention must go to the visionary behind the foundation, Professor Richard Oreffo. Richard in fact, did not go easy on us. He bowled with fierce determination, coming out with a dominant win to remind us that excellence isn’t just talked about, it’s demonstrated.
“Your background does not define who you are, or how far you’ll come.”
On Saturday, we’ve had a few speakers that brought talks that left a lasting impression. This quote especially struck with me. As I looked around the room, I saw resilient students, many of whom, like me, had to push through barriers to get where we are today. There was a sense of familiarity in that very moment. I felt seen.
A notable keynote that resonated with me was from Professor Nishan Canagarajah. He spoke about arriving in the UK as a teenager, struggling with English and adapting to a new culture while holding onto his ambition. Hearing someone so incredibly accomplished, the current President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Leicester, share the challenges behind his success confirmed my belief in the power of resilience.
My biggest takeaway from the 2025 Cowrie Scholars Event was: I do belong. I was surrounded by people who not only understood my story but believed in my potential to thrive.
Thank you again to everyone who made this event possible!
Hanka Mehager