Study USA

1. What’s the background to Study USA?
One of the most sought-after opportunities for placement year.
Idea came from discussions within a group of
interdenominational 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 Colleges

2. Aims of the programme
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To provide NI students with an outward
looking, international experience
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To improve the core “employability” skills
of participants
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To raise the economic, cultural and
political awareness of Northern Ireland in
the US
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To raise awareness of personal
responsibility to develop community
service within Northern Ireland
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To develop future managers and leaders
for the Northern Ireland economy

3. The Students
The students are from NI FE/HE institutions:
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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:
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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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Students Must Fund:
• Travel and Medical Insurance approx £300
• VISA approx $131= £81
• SEVIS $200 = £123
• Total student contribution =
approx £500

7. Anna Stevenson, UUJ, Law and Criminology
Greensboro 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.”

8. Kylie Bingham, UUC Business with Computing
Immaculata 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.”

9. Applicants should:
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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

10. 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.

11. Preparing an application
• Information or administrative questions
• Questions about the SUSA opportunity & suitability:
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MOTIVATION
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
ADAPTABILITY
LEADERSHIP / TEAMWORK
• In addition, the application process specifically addresses:
– OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE / TRAVEL / VOLUNTEERING:
– SERVICE AND PARTICIPATION / INVOLVEMENT
– EMPLOYABILITY

12. 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.