Shanique Walker triumphs through scholarships, persistence

Every step of 37-year-old Shanique Walker’s tertiary education has been funded by scholarships.

In just a few months, the former Hampton School student will begin her PhD at Padua University in Italy, focusing on biotechnologies and how yeast derivatives can be used to create products.

Earlier this year, she completed a master’s degree in Italian food and wine at the same university, which was fully funded by a scholarship from the Italian Regional Government.

Growing up in Burnt Savannah, Walker dreamed of overcoming the limitations of her rural upbringing and becoming the first in her family to attend university. However, she quickly realised that excelling in her studies was the key to unlocking the scholarships she would need to make her dreams a reality.

“I had really no choice but to seek funding,” she explained to The Gleaner.

Her tertiary journey began at The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) in 2008, where she started a degree in biomedical engineering. But financial challenges quickly made her first year stressful.

“I said, I have to get a scholarship, my parents won’t be able to send me to UTech. I have to get a scholarship or I would not be able to continue,” she recalled.

A friend encouraged her to apply for the Cuban Bilateral Scholarship, which would fund her studies in biomedical engineering, and she was successful. In 2009, Walker moved to Cuba, where she would spend the next six years before returning to Jamaica.

Though hopeful initially, her search for a job in her field stretched into two challenging years. During this time, she worked as a wine sales representative, gaining experience outside her chosen career path.

Conscious that the Cuban scholarship required her to be bonded to Jamaica for five years, she did not give up, and ultimately got a job at an engineering firm in Kingston.

After six years working as a biomedical field engineer, Walker was ready for the next step. She had visited Italy earlier for vacation, and knew she not only wanted to study there, but was ready to change career.

To prepare for the switch from biomedical engineering to the food industry, she enrolled at The University of the West Indies (UWI) to pursue a master’s degree in food technology, to be better qualified for the programme, while applying for scholarships and programmes overseas as well.

“I felt I wasn’t growing and I had more potential; I had more in me,” she said. “I felt like I wanted more, that I could do more in this life and I wasn’t getting that opportunity to unleash my potential.”

Walker, unfortunately, has still not completed her degree at the UWI because of administrative delays and financial constraints, but matriculated to the Padua University in Italy on a full scholarship to pursue her dreams.

But her path wasn’t easy.

“When I left Jamaica, I had sold most of my assets, collected my pension, and gathered my savings coming to Europe with about J$2 million in hand. At first, it seemed enough for a year, but Europe’s high cost of living, plus the mortgage I left behind, made survival difficult,” she said.

She shared that her years in Europe so far have been spent studying or in traineeships

“I have not been formally employed but have survived through benefits, grants, and scholarships provided by the Italian Regional Government, the European Union, and the Catholic Church. Out of this support, I regularly send assistance to my family in Jamaica,” she said.

Her family, she said, was integral to her academic success, especially her aunt who worked as a nurse, and her grandmother, who passed away in 2022.

But she said, despite hardships, moving abroad has brought her blessings and opened doors. She has not only graduated with honours at the master’s level, and secured a fully funded PhD position, but has travelled the world, and built a global network of friends.

“My journey has been full of tears, disappointments, and setbacks, but also achievements I never imagined. Most importantly, it has shown me that resilience, faith, and courage can turn even the darkest moments into opportunities for growth,” she said.

Walker said she’s now focused on expanding her research skills, building a family, supporting her loved ones, and contributing meaningfully to society.

But she is encouraging others who are desirous of studying abroad, but who lack the financial backing, to seek out opportunities.

“To parents, believe that your child can become their best, regardless of the history or limitations of previous generations. Keep pushing your children forward. It doesn’t really take that much money to make a child successful, because there are many free opportunities out there. What a child truly needs is a seed of faith, love, encouragement, and support. With that foundation, they can blossom into their full potential,” she said.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com

Tips to obtaining scholarships by co-founder of All About Scholarships Ja, Keneisha Henry

1. Start with preparation

• Keep a dedicated folder, journal, or spreadsheet to track scholarships, deadlines, and requirements.

• Begin gathering documents like transcripts, references, and recommendation letters early.

• Set a clear financial goal (e.g., tuition and boarding costs) and let that motivate you to apply widely.

2. Research smartly

• While you can start with a Google searches eg. “Jamaican Scholarships” ,“Scholarships for UWI Students”, it is also wise to actively check websites directly. Websites include the All About ScholarshipJa’s website, Ministry of Education’s database, J-TEC, Scholarship Jamaica, The Gleaner’s Scholarship To Go, various foundations and financial institutions such as your banks and credit unions.

• Visit your university’s student financing website.

• Find out from your parents’ or extended relatives if their companies offer back-to-school grants.

• Ask your pastor/religious leader if your religious organisation has scholarships to offer.

• Find out if the clubs that you are a part of have scholarships

• Follow scholarship providers and organisations on social media for real-time updates.

• Network with guidance counsellors, past recipients, and alumni groups.

3.Match the Criteria

• Scholarships usually target certain demographics, fields of study, or extracurricular involvement. Know whether they are merit-based (academic/leadership achievements) or need-based (financial need) and apply accordingly. You must ensure that you match the criteria before you apply!

Position yourself in advance so your profile aligns with eligibility requirements.

4. Strengthen application

• Write essays that are authentic and memorable. Ensure you stick to the word limit and answer exactly what they are asking you. Share your personal story, challenges, and goals while tying them to the scholarship’s mission. Start your essay with a hook that isn’t clichéd, and, if you are to quote someone, please reference them accordingly.

• Don’t just list achievements, show the journey behind them. Talk about obstacles you overcame and how those shaped your goals.

• Instead of recycling the same essay, adjust responses to match each scholarship provider’s mission and values. “If a bank is offering it, talk about financial literacy or community development. If it’s an education fund, show your passion for learning and service.”

• Ask referees for personalised recommendations instead of generic ones. Choose referees who know you well and can speak to your character, not just your academics. Guide them on what the scholarship is about so they can write a letter that connects your strengths to the provider’s goals.

• Have proof of achievements (voluntary hours, certificates, awards, leadership roles) that show initiative and character.

• The earlier you apply, the better your chances. Don’t limit yourself to one or two applications, aim for 10, 15, or more, if possible.

5. Ace the interview

• Research the scholarship provider’s values so you can align your answers with their vision.

• Practise common interview questions about your journey, leadership, community service, and career goals.

• Dress professionally, be confident, and let your passion shine through.