QUEEN’S STUDENT KEVIN TONER NAMED STUDY USA STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Original news release issued by British Council NI, 07.10.19

Kevin Toner, a 22-year-old Queen’s University Computer Science student from Magherafelt who spent a year in the United States studying business at Hastings College, Nebraska has been named Study USA Student of the Year.

Kevin (pictured right above) was among 50 students from Northern Ireland to successfully graduate from the programme and was honoured at a graduation ceremony at the Harbour Commissioner’s Office in Belfast.

Study USA is managed by British Council Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for the Economy and since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent over 2,000 local students to all four corners of the United States where they have successfully completed a year studying business or business and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at one of 140 institutions.

Kevin, who hopes to use the experience to set up his own software business, was named Student of the Year after achieving top academic marks and for an essay highlighting how the experience has helped further his employability. This year’s award – which was sponsored by First Derivatives – saw fellow Queen’s students, Kathryn White (centre) and Thomas Moore (left), named runners-up.

Speaking about the award, Kevin said: “During my time on Study USA I tried to say ‘yes’ to everything – stepping outside my comfort zone and maximising every opportunity that came my way.

“Taking up business has made me a high achiever in a new subject area, and I was able to combine this with sport, leisure and charity activities. I have shown adaptability and resilience as well as building team-working, presenting and communication skills, all in a new environment.

“My year in the US has transformed me into a confident, resilient individual who views the world as a small place full of wonderful diversity and opportunities and I would encourage others to pursue Study USA.”

The graduation event also saw the programme celebrate its 25th anniversary. Initially known as the Business Education Initiative (BEI), Study USA was set up in 1994 to aid the Northern Ireland peace process – with the White House providing an endorsement for the programme in 1995 in a letter written by President Bill Clinton.

Commending the programme, British Council Northern Ireland Director Jonathan Stewart, said: “Congratulations to Kevin and all of this year's Study USA graduates. Year on year we find that those who take part in the programme not only enhance their employability skills but also develop important intercultural skills, which help them to prepare to work in a global economy.

“Throughout its 25-year history Study USA has enabled students to become great ambassadors for Northern Ireland and helped strengthen cultural, economic and educational links and connections between the two countries.

“I wish this year’s graduates every success as they join this growing influential network of alumni from the programme.”

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities which works with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society.

Students interested in applying for the Study USA 2020/21 programme can apply online now at http://nireland.britishcouncil.org. They can opt to study business and/or STEM subjects and the deadline for applications for Higher Education institutions is Monday, November 11, 2019 and for Further Education institutions – Monday, January 20, 2020 at 12 noon.

For more on other international opportunities through British Council Northern Ireland email opportunity@britishcouncil.org or visit http://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-create.

For further information on this news story contact Claire McAuley, Communications Manager, British Council NI, on telephone: +44 (0)28 9019 2224 or mobile: +44 (0)7856 524 504.

To submit graduate news items, or for general enquiries about this story, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.

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