Local students flying the flag in the US

Making waves: Study USA students (from left) Jacob Gray, Amy McDermott and Niall McGowan attend the British Councils Orientation event at the University of Ulster, Belfast on June 26

Jacob Gray, Amy McDermott and Niall McGowan have been selected to take part in the British Council’s prestigious Study USA programme and recently received last minute advice and information at a pre-departure meeting in Belfast, before preparing to spend a year stateside.

The scholarship programme enables students to study business and management for a year in American colleges, across 34 States, where they gain valuable international experience and business knowledge, helping to develop their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.

The British Council, which is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

Speaking about the programme, David Alderdice, Director British Council Northern Ireland, said: “We know that the students departing for the US this year will be great ambassadors for Northern Ireland and will help to further long-term links and connections between our two countries.

“The students will have the opportunity to learn from leading experts in their field and their future employability will be enhanced through internships, Ambassadorial presentations, and volunteer work in a really international context. Most importantly, our students will build links with counterparts in the United States that will last a lifetime.”

The students were part of a group of 75 Northern Ireland students who were chosen for the scholarships after undergoing a competitive selection process to take part in the prestigious programme. Around 400 students from all colleges and universities in Northern Ireland applied for the programme earlier in the year.

The British Council, which is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

For more information on Study USA or other opportunities through the British Council visit www.britishcouncil.org/northernireland-susa.htm or email [email protected]