Newry students set off for opportunity of a lifetime on US scholarship programme | Newry News

Three students from Newry will be heading to the United States next month for the opportunity of a lifetime as part of the prestigious Study USA scholarship programme.

They are among the 52 students from Northern Ireland selected for the programme, from Northern Regional College, North West Regional College, Queen’s University Belfast, St Mary’s University College, Stranmillis University College, and Ulster University.

They will spend the next academic year studying in American universities and colleges across 22 states.

The flagship programme, which started in 1994, was originally designed to assist with the peace process.

In 2014, President Bill Clinton wrote a letter recommending the programme.

Since then, the programme, which is managed by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, on behalf of the Department for the Economy, has enabled over 2500 students studying in Northern Ireland to spend a full academic year at one of 140 partner institutions spread across the US from Washington state to Florida, and Nebraska to Texas.

Now celebrating its 30th year, Study USA is open to pre-final year students studying at Northern Ireland’s higher education and Further Education institutions.

The programme has adapted over the years and now extends beyond business and STEM-related subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), giving students the opportunity to study a combination of subjects related to their home degree, as well as modules in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Communications, Marketing and PR, Human Resources and Foreign Languages.

The immersive nature of the programme helps students develop a broad range of academic and interpersonal skills and a global outlook, which enhances their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland. 

This year’s cohort of students are studying a wide range of subjects, including Criminology, Environmental Science, Music Production, Law and Engineering.

Ella Fitzpatrick from Newry is heading to McKendree University in Illinois.

Ahead of her departure, she says, “I still can’t quite believe that I’m going to America as a part of the Study USA programme.

“I am so excited to meet new people on this adventure and take a range of different modules that I hope will equip me with the skills I need for my future career.

“I am quite nervous about this opportunity, but I know it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will fully embrace.”

This year, Newry students Kyan Jamiolkowski and Megan McGlade will also be joining the Study USA programme.

Study USA is highly regarded within the network of 140 partner institutions across the USA and continues to receive significant support, with annual funding from the USA in excess of $2 million.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy says, “The Study USA programme has helped to strengthen cultural, educational and economic links with the US. It provides young people with employability skills and an international outlook that are vital in developing our economy.

“Through their ambassadorial role, Study USA participants promote positive perceptions of the North, which in turn helps attract visitors from the US, contributing to the tourism and hospitality industry and increased spending across various sectors.

“I wish our students taking part this year all the very best on what I’m sure will be a great experience.”

Speaking about the opportunity ahead for this year’s cohort, Jonathan Stewart, Director of British Council Northern Ireland, comments, “The Study USA programme is a unique opportunity for an intercultural experience through a year living in the US that greatly enhances the employability skills of the students taking part and helps prepare them for work in a global economy. 

“It’s an honour to be working in partnership with the Department for the Economy again for the 30th year to deliver this life-changing programme for young people in Northern Ireland.

“As well as enhancing their academic capabilities students gain new skills in an international setting, learn from diverse cultural perspectives, build long lasting connections, and develop the intercultural skills and international outlook that employers in Northern Ireland are looking for.

“Many of the students from previous years have gone on to work for employers in Northern Ireland with US and global links.

“This year, our 30th cohort of students will be spread across 22 US states.

“We know that they will be great ambassadors for Northern Ireland and wish them every success for their exciting year ahead in the US.”

Applications for Study USA for 2025-26 will open in September 2024.

To find out more about the programme, visit https://nireland.britishcouncil.org/opportunities/study-usa.

Study USA continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching.

To find out more about the British Council’s work in Northern Ireland visit nireland.britishcouncil.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Aug 8 2024. Filed under Community, Jobs & Careers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry