Philippines
Equivalent to Summa Cum Laude
A Filipina graduated with highest honours (equivalent to Summa Cum Laude) at the prestigious Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
A native of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Ellaine Joy Calapao Sanidad graduated on December 2, 2021 with a Master of Studies in Diplomatic Program. Graduation ceremonies is set for March 12, 2022.
Sanidad’s graduation marks her second master’s degree following her MA in Speech Communication at University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Sanidad credited her success to God, her family, friends, mentors and all those who gave their support in her journey.
Sanidad said in a statement, “I have always been too hard on myself, and it was only recently that I learned how important it is to give myself a tap once in a while for being able to put up with the ever ambitious, difficult me.”
Before achieving her degree in Oxford, she also graduated as Magna Cum Laude at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños where she became an instructor and eventually worked her way up to assistant professor.
Sanidad’s journey abroad began in 2016 where she had tried her luck at scholarships until she got the Chevening Scholarship in 2020 giving her a place in the university abroad.
She said her admission to Oxford was like ‘suntok sa buwan’. I just tried applying there, but never really expected to be offered a place. So, imagine my joy when I received those two big news in 2020 in getting the Chevening scholarship, and offered a place in Oxford.” she described in the Facebook/Abrenian.
Pandemic woes
Sanidad recalled her first term in Oxford also happened to be the first year of the pandemic in 2020 in an interview with Interaksyon.
During this time, her father was also diagnosed with dementia and while she was writing her dissertation, Sanidad’s parents contracted COVID-19. She also learned that a very close aunt and cousin of hers died.
These difficulties initially made her doubt herself if she should stay in the UK or return home to her family, she told Interaksyon.
“It came to a point I asked my ambitious self why she needed to dream that big. Why she brought me into that, so far, toughest year of my life. I wanted and needed to be with my family so bad, but there was little to nothing I could do. So, I studied hard and aimed to finish my program quick, as if those could make that one year away from home shorter,” Sanidad told Interaksyon.
She was also challenged by homesickness which she described as “emotional torture.”
“I thought being in the UK for a year would only feel like my usual life working in Manila, only, not coming to visit home at all for a year. I underestimated the emotional torture brought by the physical distance between the UK and the Philippines,” Sanidad said.
What’s next?
Despite being thankful for her success in the UK, Sanidad admitted she is scared for the next stage of her life after graduation.
She said she has no plans yet if she would take up a doctorate degree.
For now, Sanidad plans to rest and spend time with her family.
“Coming back home, my priority were to rest, spend quality time with my family, and work on my physical recuperation before pursuing my next plans in life. My physical health suffered a lot from the many restless days in the university, barely sleeping and eating anything at all due to dealing with all kinds of pressure studying in Oxford,” she said.
To those who are dreaming of studying in Oxford, Sanidad has one advic which is to give their best in every step of the process.
“Think of Oxford as just any other university abroad. Considering it as an unreachable university won’t help you get there. However, that doesn’t mean working less towards getting there. Learn to always give your best in every endeavor you take, because only with giving your best could you get the best reward,” the Filipina achiever concluded.