What’s the background to Study USA?One of the most sought-after opportunities for placement year.

Idea came from discussions within a group ofinterdenominational Church Officials focusing on Northern Ireland’s political and economic situation

• The Programme commenced in 1994/95 academic year with 19 students at 11 US Colleges

• Now there are 70 - 75 students at US CollegesNow there are 70 - 75 students at US Colleges

Aims of the programme• To provide NI students with an outward

looking, international experience

• To improve the core “employability” skills of participants

• To raise the economic, cultural and political awareness of Northern Ireland in the US

• To raise awareness of personal responsibility to develop community service within Northern Ireland

• To develop future managers and leaders for the Northern Ireland economy

The StudentsThe students are from NI FE/HE institutions:• University of Ulster• Queen’s University • St Mary’s College• Stranmillis College • Belfast Metropolitan College • South Eastern Regional College• South West College• North West Regional College• Northern Regional College• Southern Regional College

Eligibility - the students must:

• Be in their Pre-final year at Universities or first year Foundation Degree/HND at Colleges

• Studying in full time education• From any subject discipline• In Good Academic Standing• Have not participated in any other NI Government

funded programme

Academic Requirements while in the US• Minimum 15 hours study per week (Homework Daily)

• 4 business modules plus an additional module

• Grade Point Average of 3.0 (57%) or above

• Volunteer / Internship opportunities are encouraged

• Business Related Project and reflective work for Ulster • Develop Employability Skills such as Team working,

Presentation and Communication Skills

All Students Receive the Following Funding:• University Fees waived by US Colleges. Approx $25K

• University Accommodation paid by DEL

• Food (3 meals per day) whilst at college

• Books required for study

• Flights to start College and to return home from US at end of college year.

• Overall financial package of approx £20K per student

Students Must Fund:

• Travel and Medical Insurance approx £300• VISA approx $131= £81• SEVIS $200 = £123

• Total student contribution = approx £500

Anna Stevenson, UUJ, Law and CriminologyGreensboro College, North Carolina

“ the experience of a lifetime!

I now know that I love business and this is definitely what I want to pursue academically more so than law. I’ve become a lot more independent, confident and a lot more outgoing.”

Kylie Bingham, UUC Business with ComputingImmaculata University, Pennsylvania

“I made a lot of friends at my college and outside college. Being involved with international students was very interesting and allowed me to learn more about different cultures all over the world!

It also made me more aware of how our culture is and why we are all so different in many aspects.”

Applicants should:

• Research the programme• Be willing to step outside their comfort zone• Demonstrate an interest in business• Be an ambassador for N. Ireland / Ulster / British Council• Get involved and give back to the community• Maintain good academic standing• Understand the potential impact on their career

Applying to SUSA for 2014-15:

• Application form available Friday 25th October 2013.• The form is completed online at -

http://www.britishcouncil.org/northernireland-susa.htm• Full eligibility criteria and instructions for completion of the

form can be found in the first section of the application.• Deadline is 4pm on Friday 22nd November 2013.• Interviews are scheduled for Friday 13th and Monday 16th

December 2013 at Jordanstown.

Preparing an application• Information or administrative questions• Questions about the SUSA opportunity & suitability:

– MOTIVATION – PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – ADAPTABILITY – LEADERSHIP / TEAMWORK

• In addition, the application process specifically addresses:– OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE / TRAVEL / VOLUNTEERING: – SERVICE AND PARTICIPATION / INVOLVEMENT– EMPLOYABILITY

Preparing an application

• Applicants should remember that this is still business study, it is hoped that participants gain business skills that they will bring back and apply to their career in NI after graduation.

• Applicants should remember that they will be an ambassador for Ulster and N. Ireland, they should be aware of how people in other countries view N. Ireland and how they could communicate their culture and own personal experience of living in N. Ireland.