Getting to Know the Home of Australia's Head of State

The following is a guest post by Cal Viney. Cal is the 2012/13 Chevening Scholar from Australia. He is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Public Law (focused specifically on Constitutional Law and Theory) at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Cal is an Australian Lawyer.

Welcome to Heathrow. Rain. Welcome to the London School of Economics and Political Science. Nervousness. Tube. Bus. Tube. Escalator. Umbrella. Tour map.

Standing in the bowels of Westminster – on the very floor that Churchill stood and defended freedom in the gloom of war. Breathing in the mahogany walls, feeling the grit of the womb of democracy and parliamentarianism. Standing in the place where power is transferred between bitter political enemies without the firing of guns but with the gesture of a handshake – a remarkable achievement in the history of human kind.

Walking up the stairs to Court number 7 of the Old Bailey. Observing several Queens Council defend 6 co-accused before a jury of peers – the study of a fair trial in action, of equality before the law being deployed to the last procedural sub-rule.

#1 and #2 on “Cal’s UK bucket list” now complete!

Staying awake until the sun is almost rising, drafting papers on the methodological contests of comparative constitutional law one day, the universal principle of right the next. Opening a new textbook and having to complete and understand it within two days.

Debating Hobbes, Hayek, Oakeshott, Schmitt, Kant and Hegel, in between lectures and public talks from intellectual and political luminaries such as Kofi Annan and Mayor Julian Castro, whilst debating with world renowned Public Law scholars such as Dr. Tomas Poole, Dr. Jo Murkens and Professor Robert Baldwin in lectures with 15 to 20 students.

Then heading out to London’s East End to talk with new friends from Tunisia and Egypt about the drafting of their respective constitutions – and also attempting to explain some of Australia’s pressing constitutional challenges (including the reform to recognize Indigenous Australians in our Constitution, and the more sensitive discussion surrounding the notion of an Australian Republic) while at the same time debating the merits of a game called Cricket.

Life as a Chevening Scholar is humbling, confidence building, intellectually intoxicating and imbued with a special international camaraderie. More than anything, being a Chevener is about rejoicing in diversity – of opinion, of experience, of nationality, of religion, of politics, and even sport!

Revelling in such diversity in London – the international crossroads of the world – has made the last 3 months the most incredible of my life.

It is an experience that has inspired deep personal confidence in the inherent good in the world and the potential that my generation holds to change our global village for the better.

The experience of forging life long friendships with fellow Chevening Scholars has given me a renewed confidence in my generation’s commitment to building a progressive, inclusive and egalitarian global village – one that protects individual freedom and liberty, that celebrates diversity, and that has the courage to solve the big issues at the core of humanity’s challenge – including maintaining peace, tackling poverty and global health, preventing climate change and defending human rights.

I dare you to apply for a Chevening scholarship; it is a dare that can propel you to an experience you never dreamed would be afforded to you.

You can follow/contact Cal on Twitter: @Cal_Viney or by email: calviney@me.com