I’m going to Oxford - here’s why

This was and is continuing to be a weird year.

It started off with the decision to leave a graduate program that wasn’t the right fit for me. This was honestly one of the toughest choices I have made. It went against everything I believed in - sticking things out even when they’re tough, getting my education no matter the cost, and honouring my commitments. In many ways, it was a test. To see if I would do what I knew was right for me at the cost of doing what I’ve always done. At the time, it was devastating, but now I look back and feel confident that it was the right move.

Instantly after, my mind turned to what I would do next. I knew I wanted to do something that would expand my network, knowledge, and future options, something that prioritized leadership, professional development, and would give me a chance to act on my ideas in a productive way.

So I began the lengthy application process for public policy master's programs in England. Regardless of where things ended up, applying in itself opened my eyes to many things about myself. It helped me whittle down my “why”, research and write about policy issues I cared about, and understand what some of the traits are that are needed in policy leadership. 

I was instantly denied from one of them, and soon after, got the email that though I had been accepted to another, it was for the two-year version of the program. Knowing I could hardly afford one year, let alone two, I declined my spot. Not long after, I was notified that I did not move up for the Chevening Scholarships - likely the only way I could finance any of this.

So I moved on. During this period, I got a chance to do some of the things I was always too busy to do. I networked in a non-work setting, caught up with old friends and made some new ones, and even ran a polling station during our last provincial election. I continued my part-time student advocacy work and helped write our annual policy report. The backdrop of all of this was that I was still awaiting a decision from the program of the three I wanted the most. The one that matched my goals the best, and both because I hadn’t gotten the Chevening scholarship and had yet to hear back months later, I had entirely discounted. 

I got the email while I was boarding the plane to interview for a job in Newfoundland (I didn't get it). But I did get into Oxford. Off the bat, I convinced myself I couldn’t go. I wasn’t good enough, wouldn’t fit in, and of course, could not afford it. Things didn’t get better for my prospects. I wasn’t given school funding - a tough pill to swallow when you wrote your application on the struggle of affording a high-quality education, and have largely held off on grad school this long due to funding constraints in the first place.

But the longer I left my offer sitting there, the more I realized I wanted this more than I have ever wanted anything. If everything happens for a reason, this is mine. So I decided to take the leap and accept my offer. Since then, my tactic has been to force myself to go by digging myself deeper and deeper, paying the deposits, telling my friends and family, getting my VISA, and making friends in my program. 

So, I am going to Oxford in just under a month. It’s a life-altering move, and in some ways not for the best - another test. I gave up a good job, plenty of chances to move upward in my career, and doing this will not only uproot my stable life but put me into hefty student-loan debt while doing it.

Here is why, despite all that, I am moving ahead.

Focusing on my policy issue.

Being a political staffer means having your hands in many different pots, dealing with the fire of the day, and making your awareness of a topic just enough to do a briefing and get through a crisis. This isn’t entirely negative. It gives you a broad scope of the issues happening in your country and some of the ways they are being remedied, not to mention it gives you crazy multitasking abilities.

But we all have a why. The thing that motivates us most, makes us nerd out, and drives our passion for public service. For me, it’s democracy. The idea that the people can have a real say in how they are governed, and anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, gets to participate in the process. More than this, it's the realization that our democracies are in trouble. 

Plagued by declining voter turnout and increasing distrust, especially among younger Canadians, I believe we need to revitalize our politics by engaging underserved, under-engaged communities and getting way more serious than we've been about strengthening our democratic systems. I also know this issue is not uniquely Canadian, and think that we need to explore how Western democracies can come together to increase the quality of democracies worldwide. At its core, this program will give me the best chance possible to get involved in these efforts and drive positive change. 

Diversifying my skills and opportunities.

I love political staffing, and I will likely return to it when I am finished at Oxford. As a staffer, I’ve done what I can to work the system, I’ve gotten creative, and learned new tricks. But there are some things that you can only do at Oxford. Knowing that there are so many skills, experiences, and life lessons waiting for me overseas -  things like media training, language courses, networking, and seminars - is a major draw. I can't ignore the fact that if I were to choose not to go, these are likely experiences I will never get again, and I know in 10 years I will regret not seizing them. I am so excited to see what doors this will open, especially from the summer project, which I will get to do at an MPP host organization (some of which include the OECD, the UN, and the Tony Blair Institute. 

Seeing different views and experiences.

I have spent my life in Atlantic Canada, and my career in Canadian politics, and I couldn't be more proud of that. I have researched the Canadian context of large-scale policy problems, and have seen up close how Canadian politics operates. But the solutions to the problems facing Canadians are widespread, especially among Western nations such as the United Kingdom. Weirdly, I now believe spending time away from my home is the best way for me to come back better equipped to tackle the challenges facing it. 

The Oxford MPP is unique, only taking a few people from every country. Cohorts typically include students from over 50 countries, each with different cultures, democratic systems, and policy lessons to be learned. It is my intent to do just that: spend time with my classmates and hear their thoughts, and hopefully contribute mine. It is also my hope to form a bit of a working group of political staffers in my cohort to brainstorm best practices.

What’s next?

A few things. Actually, a lot. In under a month, I’ll be flying over to England. I have secured my VISA, accommodation, and accepted my offer to study at St Peter’s College (the alma mater of Prime Minister Carney). I left my job last week (and am still recovering from the shock of going from 100s of messages a day to radio silence), but am taking the time to relax a little bit and get my affairs in order. I will be continuing to fundraise and working to remove the financial barriers that still remain, and obviously doing all the final prep, such as packing. 

I am likely going to be using this platform to share my experiences, my opinions on what I’m learning, and to write about the world writ large. I hope to post more frequently and with a bit more of a political lens. 

Talk soon. 

Kegan