MORE than 60 young people and recent graduates from across the north are off to study in the US this month.
The group hails from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, St Mary's University College, South Eastern Regional College, Northern Regional College and Belfast Metropolitan College.
The Study USA programme will enable them to take part in business or `stem' (science, technology, engineering or maths) subjects for a year in American colleges.
This will help develop their career prospects when they return.
The British Council manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for the Economy - and since its formation in 1994, has sent more than 2,000 students from the north.
Nicole Kerr (20), from Magherafelt is a law student at Queen's. She will spend the next year at the University of Dubuque in Iowa.
"I had heard great things about the programme from past participants and always knew it was something that I would love to do," she said.
"I'm most excited to explore Iowa and to travel to new places and meet new people. I'm also excited to experience the American culture including of course the food and Thanksgiving.
"On my return home, I plan to do my final year of law at Queen's. I hope by studying business management this year in America, it will give me a good foundation to progress in a career in corporate law."
Meanwhile, Sasha Dempsey (21) from Ballyclare, is currently studying fashion production and business at Belfast Metropolitan College. She will spend the next year in Illinois at North Central College.
"I applied for Study USA as I wanted to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. I have never lived away from home before so didn't want to take any half measures and decided this was the opportunity I needed," she said.
"I think I'm quite independent already, but I want to test myself and see how well I can really do on my own. I also want to experience the different culture that America has to offer and explore Chicago.
"When I return home, I'm hoping to move into the film industry or the luxury fashion industry, but right now it's predominantly film and production that I’m most interested in."
British Council Northern Ireland Director Jonathan Stewart said the group would join a growing alumni of students to act as ambassadors for Northern Ireland and its institutions, developing important long-term links and connections.
"Through international mobility programmes like Study USA, students are able to enhance their employability skills and also obtain greater intercultural understanding, helping to prepare them for work in a global economy," he added.
