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St Mary’s University College student Alice McElroy has been named as a runner-up
in the 2018 Study USA Student of the Year prize
Alice McElroy, a BEd undergraduate of St Mary’s University College, was named as runner-up in the Student of the Year Study USA prize after achieving top academic marks for an essay highlighting how her experience has helped further her employability. She was among fifty students from Northern Ireland to graduate successfully from the Study USA programme and recently was honoured in a graduation ceremony at the MAC in Belfast. In attendance at the celebratory event were Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, consul general for the United States; Noel Lavery, permanent secretary at the Department for the Economy; staff from the British Council and other guests.
Alice completed three years of her undergraduate BEd degree programme in St Mary’s and then turned her sights to international study to diversify her skill set. She applied and was successful in gaining a place on the highly regarded Study USA programme funded by the British Council. In 2017-18, Alice spent a year studying business at Shenandoah University, Virginia.
Speaking about the programme, Alice, who is originally from Strabane, said:
The skills I have learned in America are transferable to any working environment, and I feel confident stepping into the working world to implement and improve upon my existing and newly acquired knowledge. Although I loved my academic experience in Shenandoah, my favourite memories are definitely of the student life. I loved living on campus as my dorm was like a huge family: I am forever thankful to have made the best friends of my life.
St Mary’s currently has two undergraduates in the USA undertaking the Study USA programme during the 2018-19 academic year. Deaglan Murphy is at the University of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Sinead Sweeney has gained a place at D'Youville College, New York.
Students interested in applying for the Study USA 2019-20 programme should notify either Ciaran Walsh or Orla Nugent, who can assist with further information. Students can apply online at http://nireland.britishcouncil.org. By way of broadening the appeal of the Study USA programme, students will also be able to study STEM subjects for the first time as well as business. The deadline for applications is Monday, 19 November 2018 at 23:59 |
