Study in the USA

US Consul-General Karen Grissette says there are opportunities for all Bermudians to study in the US

From insurance to engineering and anything else in between – whatever you aspire to be, the United States has the educational opportunity to help you achieve your dream.

The US Consulate in Bermuda is ramping up local interest in its multitude of schools, colleges, and universities through its Study with US campaign.

Bermudian students and alumni have been sharing their success stories through online videos as part of the project designed to make young people aware of the boundless possibilities across the States.

US Consul-General Karen Grissette says: “There are endless opportunities in the US, and we want to make sure Bermudians are considering taking advantage of them.

“We have heard that some people believe there are not opportunities to study in the US because it’s cost prohibitive.

“We want to make sure Bermudians know schools in the US often have grants and scholarships that can help them pay for their fees. There are a lot of opportunities on Bermudascholarships. com and in Bermuda generally.”

Locals who have taken part in the campaign so far include Commonwealth Games athlete Emma Harvey, Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art executive director Risa Hunter and BELCO managing director Nadir Wade.

Grissette says: “When we look around and see who has studied there, they are having success and moreover they really love their education experience in the US.

“We want to make sure Bermudian students keep the US on their radar and take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.

“This campaign allows prospective students to hear directly from their peers about how they were able to achieve educational and professional goals by choosing to study in the US.”

Numerous Bermudians have benefited from a US education.

“Since I have been here, I have heard from many leaders in Government, international business and the non-profit sector who are so proud of their US educational experience,” Grissette says.

The US has strong connections with Bermuda’s insurance sector, which is great news for those pursuing careers such as actuarial science, accounting, or risk management. There are also opportunities at leading technical and engineering schools.

“We have every speciality, every type of study, every major in the US,” Grissette says.

“Even if you’re not sure what you want to study, having the ability to change your mind is another key benefit of the US education system.”

But university life is more than just academic studying.

In her video, which was uploaded to the Consulate’s Facebook page, Emma Harvey reflects on how she was able to get involved in community work at Penn State University.

“There’s always a way to get involved. I’m really involved in sustainability, and I’ve really enjoyed that,” she says.

“There’s a lot of cool options to meet some really amazing people.”

Risa Hunter explains how she was able to develop as a person at University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

“University really is the time where you discover yourself for many people,” she says.

“I think creating an environment and then being in that environment that allows you to grow and nurture that growth is so important.”

Nadir Wade notes how, despite “coming from little Bermuda”, his time at Howard University in Washington, DC, led to a job as a federal government contractor at a major power plant in the US capital city.

Grissette says: “I think some people don’t realise just how rich the US university experience is. It’s so much more than just going to school.

“Students in US colleges and universities get involved in clubs, sports, performing arts, learning new activities, environmental interests, editing college newspapers and other social groups.

“Whatever the student is interested in, there are opportunities to explore that. Students are engaged in those activities with diverse and inclusive groups of students. Volunteer experiences are big in a lot of colleges.”

Grissette says the campaign, which launched last November, has won support from all sectors.

“We have also received interest from students and graduates who want to participate, which will hopefully happen in our next series,” she says.

In most cases, Bermudian students do not require a visa to study in the US, but for information on the visa process, including setting up a visa appointment, visit the US Consulate’s website at https://bm.usconsulate.gov/visas/ nonimmigrant-visas-study-exchange/ how-to-apply/.

For more information about the Study with US campaign, follow the US Consulate General on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.