South Derry students to fly the flag for University of Ulster at US colleges

Teresa Ryan and Grace McKenna were chosen from thousands to take part in the British Council’s prestigious Study USA programme.

Moneymore girl Teresa, 20, currently studies Law and is heading to Alverno College, Wisconsin, while 20-year-old Draperstown Public Relations student Grace will be based at Westminster College, Pennsylvania.

The pair will be joined by 53 other students from across Northern Ireland on the prestigious scholarship programme, which enables students to study business and management for a year in American colleges, across 34 states.

Through the initiative, it is hoped they will 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).

Since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent over 1,800 students from Northern Ireland to the United States where they have successfully completed a year studying business at one of 140 institutions.

Last year the programme celebrated its 20th anniversary at Titanic Belfast, with graduates, alumni and employers all gathering to mark its success.

Speaking about the programme, David Alderdice, Director of British Council Northern Ireland, said: “Study USA is a great way for local students to boost their core employability skills and gain invaluable experience working in an international setting.

“While in the US, 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.”