An American student who spent a year at the University of Aberdeen as part of an exchange programme has been selected by the British Council USA (BCUSA) to become a Student Ambassador for the University of Illinois and promote study abroad programmes in the UK.
Katherine (Katie) Schubert is a forestry major at the University of Illinois. The 21-year-old attended Aberdeen from September 2003 until June 2004 where she completed a series of forestry courses and Celtic civilisation courses.
On her return to the US, Katie was chosen by BCUS – the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations – after being nominated by the University of Illinois.
Student Ambassadors offer potential students who wish to study abroad an up close and personal look at what the UK has to offer. The programme was launched in 2002 to showcase the exceptional educational opportunities and cultural diversity that help make the United Kingdom the number one destination for American study abroad students. The programme was also developed as an innovative way to involve students who have recently studied at a UK university in their US university’s study abroad activities.
One of the highlights of studying and living in Aberdeen for Katie was the people. She said: “I love the people and the town. The University’s social life is great and everyone is really friendly. The Highlands, Isle of Skye and the Orkney Islands were absolutely gorgeous.”
Katie said the exchange programme provided enormous benefits for her to develop as a student: “A major benefit of my trip has been the worldly perspective and greater acceptance for other cultures that I have gained. I now feel more independent and confident that I can do things on my own and make new friends. Academically, I was exposed to a new University that helped me increase my flexibility.”
Katie’s role as a Student Ambassador will be to provide her fellow students with first-hand information of what the University of Aberdeen has to offer through regular events each semester, study abroad fairs and pre-departure orientations.
“Some of the activities I have already done to promote the UK and Aberdeen include my attendance at a Royal Court Theatre event where I took full advantage of the assembled crowd to distribute surveys and information on studying in the UK. I will be doing some high school visits in the area, as well as talking to University of Illinois students who will be attending Aberdeen next year. I also plan to hold a British movie night on campus,” said Katie.
Twenty-one student ambassadors from the US studied in England last year, eight studied in Scotland, four in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
After her own positive experience in Aberdeen, Katie encouraged students to embark on an exchange programme. She said: “I would advise students to just go for it, even if they’re scared. It’s hard work but it’s worth it. It’s really important to experience something different and they definitely won’t regret it. I would also advise students to complete the whole year of the programme to get the ‘full picture’.”
Students who have studied at a British university and are currently enrolled in an undergraduate US institution are eligible to become Student Ambassadors. They are selected on the basis of advisor recommendations and a demonstrated sense of maturity, responsibility and enthusiasm for the UK and their overseas study experience.
The British Council USA is the Education Department of the British Embassy in Washington, DC. The British Council, a registered charity in England and Wales, is represented in 110 countries worldwide.