Mark flies the flag for Northern Ireland

Mark, who is currently studying Land Management at Queen’s University Belfast, will soon be heading to the McKendree University, Illinois, after being selected to take part in the British Council’s prestigious Study USA programme.

The 21 year-old departs on August 22 and recently received last minute advice and information at a pre-departure meeting in Belfast, before preparing for his year stateside.

Speaking ahead of his departure, Mark said: “I am quite nervous about heading to America, but more excited than anything - I have the usual worries about missing family and if I will like my roommate or not, but I think that’s good nerves and natural.

“While there I hope to be part of the swim team at McKendree and the coach has already introduced me to a few people over email and Facebook so it has helped to calm me a little - as well as offering to pick me up from the airport!

“For me Study USA was too good of an opportunity to miss and I really want to make the most of my year away and not let it go to waste – I can’t thank the British Council enough for their help in allowing me to.”

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 the Economy.