Four outstanding international scholars will tomorrow (Tuesday, 25 May) be awarded the first Northern Lights prizes at a Civic Reception to be held at the Town House.
Aberdeen's education providers joined forces earlier this year to launch the Northern Lights Awards in a bid to find out exactly what our international students think of the area.
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils teamed up with Aberdeen College, the University of Aberdeen, and the Robert Gordon University to create the competition for students of all ages from outside the UK who are currently studying at primary or secondary school, or further or higher education level in the North-east.
The judges were looking for an insight into life in the North-east of Scotland and a feeling of engagement with the area and its people and there was stiff competition.
Students were invited to submit a letter, essay, video diary or artwork representing their experience as an international student studying in the North-east of Scotland.
The winners will be announced at tomorrow's Reception and include Dae-Yong Lee (South Korea, 8 years old); Vladimir Liubarsky (Israel, 18 years old); Sjoukje Vogelaar (Netherlands, 20 years old); and Stephanie Gamble (USA, 22 years old).
Dae-Yong Lee, from Scotstown School, described from a child's perspective a big move to come to this area, and included some lively drawings in his entry.
Vladimir Liubarsky, from Aberdeen Grammar School, submitted an essay, full of enthusiasm and energy. It described in great detail the positive impact that his school, Aberdeen Grammar, and his teacher have had on him.
Sjoukje Vogelaar, from Aberdeen College, gave a comprehensive account of life, culture and local traditions in this area of Scotland.
Stephanie Gamble, who is currently in her 1st year at the University of Aberdeen, submitted an entry in an interesting style - extracts from a web-log of a message to one of her friends back at home in the USA.
"International students form a significant, and important, part of our student population in the North-east and it is important that we find out more about their perceptions of living and studying in the region," said Aberdeen City's Lord Provost John Reynolds, one of the competition judges.
"I am delighted to have been involved in this competition and am looking forward to presenting the prizes to the winning scholars. I hope this competition becomes an annual event."
Each of the four winners will receive £500. There were four categories for scholars to enter, two of which were sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management (further education section) and Jarvis University Partnerships Programme (higher education section).