More than 50 students from across Northern Ireland are preparing to travel to the USA for a year of academic advancement.
The 54 participants have been selected to take part in the British Council’s Study USA programme and will spend the next academic year studying business or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related subjects in American colleges, across 34 States, with the aim of developing their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.
The British Council manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for the Economy and since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent over 2,000 students from Northern Ireland to all four corners of the United States.
20-year-old Zoe Clarke from Omagh will spend her year at Warren Wilson College, Asheville North Carolina. As an Interactive Media Student at Ulster University, she is excited to be part of the programme.
She said: “This experience will benefit me immensely; as coming from a media background I have never studied business, so I’m looking forward to learning new skills and studying a new subject.
I’m also looking forward to boosting my confidence through solo traveling, making new friends and adjusting to a new lifestyle.
“When I arrive home, I plan to graduate from my degree and then either start working within the marketing industry or prepare to start my own business.”
Also speaking about the programme was Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland, who commented: “I am confident that the students departing for the US this year will be great ambassadors for Northern Ireland and will help to further important long-term links and connections between the two countries.
“Through Study USA, students will have the opportunity to not only enhance their employability skills but also develop intercultural skills, which will help them to prepare to work in a global economy.”