An Indian student's inspiring story of her year at the University of Aberdeen has placed her in line for a major award.
Sujitha Subramanian, a law student at Aberdeen, has been shortlisted in the International Student Awards run by the British Council, the UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
Four students from the University of Aberdeen were short-listed from 2000 applicants UK-wide, one of the highest results from a UK institution.
Sujitha wrote about her UK experiences in the form of a letter home to her father in Chennai, India. Now she is through to the final stages of the prestigious award with the chance to receive up to £2,000. The winners will be announced later in April.
In her letter, she writes:
"For the first time in my life I was mixing with Arabs, Americans, Europeans and Africans, all classmates. I was surprised when students from Pakistan were friendly towards me and it has inspired me to read about Pakistan and learn from all the different cultures that I meet every day.
"I have spoken to Palestinians, to Jews, to Yugoslavians. I have spoken to Arabs about their faith and to Argentinians about their economic crisis. It has made me realise that each nation teaches its people history according to its own perspective. It has made me more tolerant and more inquisitive to know the truth."
Clare Gadie, Deputy Director of Marketing, said: "I am delighted that four of our students were short-listed and one has reached the finals of the competition. In these current times of international tension the Awards highlight that the University of Aberdeen boasts a welcoming, multicultural community."
David Green, Director General of the British Council, said: "Progressing this far in the International Student Awards is a real achievement. Thousands of international students from all over the world choose to study in the UK every year. As well as getting a world-class academic education, these students return home inspired, with extra confidence and a huge range of positive experiences to look back on. The Awards are all about celebrating those wider experiences and achievements."