TWO Enniskillen students are preparing for an exciting year ahead in America, thanks to being selected as part of a group of 61 students from across Northern Ireland to take part in an ambitious education programme.

Domhnall Lynam and Allie McCusker have been selected for the Study USA programme, which enables students to study business or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths) subjects for a year in American colleges.

Scattered across 28 states, the year abroad will help to develop their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.

The Study USA programme was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but with current conditions, it has been decided that the programme can proceed this academic year.

Allie (20), is a former student of Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen and is currently studying Law at Ulster University’s Magee Campus. She will spend the next year at Blackburn College, Illinois.

Speaking ahead of her departure, she said: “I decided to take part in the Study USA programme because it is an amazing opportunity for people who want to experience a completely different way of living.

"As a Law student, I think the opportunity to study Business is a great way to develop new skills, that match well with the course I have chosen to study.

"Also, we are able to take an elective class of entirely our own choosing, which gives us the freedom to take a class that is unrelated to anything we have studied before, and is something we show personal interest in.

“When I return home, I will finish my final year at Magee, and then I hope to start preparing for a career as a solicitor, preferably in the Criminal Law area.”

Meanwhile, Domhnall – a former student of St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen – has graduated in Law with Politics from Queen’s University Belfast, and is off to DeSales University in Pennsylvania.

He said: “I decided to apply to participate in the Study USA programme to gain an opportunity to spend time studying at an American college.

"Studying Business for the academic year at DeSales University Pennsylvania will enhance my career prospects when I return home to Ireland.

“I am most excited about the sporting opportunities available at DeSales.

"As a member of my local athletics club, Enniskillen Running Club, I am looking forward to pursuing this while in the USA by participating in athletics and cross-country at the college, which has excellent sporting facilities.”

The British Council, which is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for the Economy.

Since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent more than 2,000 students from Northern Ireland to study in America.

Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland, said: “This has been a challenging year for our students, and we are delighted that they will be able to take part in the programme this coming academic year.

"They will join a growing alumni of students to act as ambassadors for Northern Ireland and our institutions, developing important long-term links and connections between the two countries."

Applications for Study USA 2022/23 will open in late autumn.