Young Derry trio set to study at prestigious American colleges

Three young Derry women are preparing to spend a year studying at a prestigious US colleges.

Caroline Henderson, Erin King and Niamh Sammon (pictured0 are off to study business in the USA later this month.

The trio have been selected to take part in the British Council’s Study USA programme, having undergone a competitive selection process.

Caroline (20), a Phycology student at Queen’s University Belfast, will be heading to Saint Andrews University in North Carolina;

Erin (20), a Law student at Ulster University, is off to North Central College, Illinois; while Niamh (20), who currently studies Law at Queen’s, will spend the next academic year at Ferrum College, Virginia.

Niamh, who departs for the US on August 23, can’t wait for the year ahead.

She said: “Words can't describe how excited I am to step outside my comfort zone and I still can't believe how lucky I am to be jetting off to study in Virginia for an entire year.

“I've been away from home before but not for more than a month, so I do expect the experience of adapting to a completely different culture to be challenging; but I couldn't be happier to have the chance to do so.

“Through Study USA I am determined to broaden my horizons, become more confident and self-reliant; and return with a newly gained skill set, knowledge and perspective to equip me in making a positive contribution to Northern Ireland.”