A total of 15 students from Queen’s University Belfast will be joining colleges and universities across 22 US states for the next academic year, as part of the prestigious Study USA scholarship programme. 

The programme 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. It is open to pre-final year students who travel to the USA 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. 

Over the years, the Study USA programme has enabled over 2,500 students in higher and further education in NI to spend a full academic year at one of 140 partner institutions across the US from Washington state to Florida, and Nebraska to Texas.  

The immersive nature of the programme will help Queen’s students develop a broad range of academic and interpersonal skills, as well as a global outlook, which enhances their career prospects when they return home.  

Aoibh Smyth, from Downpatrick is studying Business Management at Queen’s University Belfast and will spend the next academic year at Lyon College, Arkansas.  She said: 

“I found out about the Study US programme through my careers department at Queen’s and after Covid felt I really needed to come out of my comfort zone. I applied to the programme as I thought it was an amazing opportunity to build my confidence and develop my interpersonal skills. 

“I hope to work in international business and I feel the Study US programme will allow me to explore a different culture and build my networks. I hope my time in America will allow me to gain important skills while promoting Northern Ireland positively to my peers.” 

Peter Ritchie, from Bangor, is studying Film and Theatre Making at Queen’s University Belfast and is heading to Coe College in Iowa, he said:

"I’d been looking for options for studying abroad for a while and whenever I first found out about Study USA and the more I heard about it, the more eager I was to apply. It really is an unmissable opportunity and I’m so glad I’ve been given the chance to go.It’s a big step outside my comfort zone but one which I know will benefit me in the long run both in terms of bolstering my employable skills and as a chance to immerse myself in a brand-new culture and encounter brand new experiences.” 

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 

 

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