Study in America with all expenses paid on the Business Education Initiative.

Fees are met by the participating colleges and the Department of Employment & Learning (DEL).

  For further information, contact the British Council on 028 90248220 or visit their website at:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/northernireland 

The proposal for the formation of the Business Education Initiative (BEI) came from discussions in 1993 within the Interchurch Committee on Northern Ireland – a group of Protestant and Catholic Church Officials, who considered the potential benefits and positive outcomes that students from Northern Ireland could gain through a year of study at an American College or University. It was envisaged that students, studying  business-related classes during their year in America would eventually bring this knowledge and international experience back to the Northern Ireland economy and in doing so encourage a culture where the old historic divisions are set aside.

The programme has grown and evolved since then, the British Council now deliver the programme and have around 100 students annually studying at US institutions.

Financial support comes from the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).  The US colleges and universities  as key partners, contribute the tuition for the students, while DEL pays for all other costs relating to the students academic year in America.  The staff of the BEI team, located in the British Council offices in Belfast, administer the program, which includes selection and placing of the students, providing support services, and financial management.  Executives of the Church denominations affiliated with the program and University staff also provide key direct support and serve as liaison between the program, the churches and the Colleges.

Applicants must be undergraduate students of Northern Ireland academic institutions currently in their pre-final year of study at the time of application. Selection commences in Autumn each year with students taking up places in the following August.

• To develop future managers for Northern Ireland;

• To develop the business and management skills of pre-final year degree and HND students from any discipline;

• To improve the core skills of participants;

• To provide students with an outward looking, international experience; and

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

Public Presentations

From its inception, the programme has assumed that students will enhance their careers if they can speak well in public.  Public speaking also gives you the opportunity to tell Americans something of life in Northern Ireland which is often misunderstood or misrepresented in the United States. 

Ideally you should complete a minimum of 20 presentations while in the US. You should keep a short record of these presentations as they will be requested by the BEI team on a regular basis.

You will have opportunities to speak to classes or other student groups on campus, at local public schools and to church and business groups. 

The Project

During the academic year, you will be required to complete a business project related to your experience in the United States. You will submit the project for marking to your academic supervisor at your home institution.

Degree and HND students participating in the Business Education Initiative (BEI) will be assessed during their period in the United States of America for the award of Diploma/Certificate in Area Studies (DAS/CAS).

There will be presentations on all University of Ulster Campuses, visit the Careers Talks and Seminars section of the Career Development Centre website.

  Application forms for the programme are available from the British Council Website. which will also give a closing date for receipt of applications.

The next stage is an interview which will assess  motivation,  self reliance, careers plans, cultural aspects, ability to communicate.  Only candidates who are successful at this stage will be allowed to progress to second interview with US college representatives.

Candidates who are selected for the programme will only be able to take up their place if they are in good academic standing.  Good academic standing means no resits or failure of course work. (in the first year of application)

  "Overall, I have developed my skills, knowledge and strengths throughout my year in America. I am more confident, independent and out-spoken. I have a different perspective on life and I have become more ambitious and have set higher goals". 

  "The BEI has enriched my academic, cultural and personal learning. Whatever I aspire, I can achieve". 

  "This has been an unforgettable extremely useful experience. I have changed a lot as a person; while at the same time held on to the better qualities. The BEI has made me a better person". 

  "I feel that I have acted as an ambassador for Northern Ireland, promoting a positive and realistic vision of life there. My experience has transformed every aspect of my life, and will ensure that I am totally employable in the future". 

  "I have achieved more in the past year, and learned more about who I am than I have in the past twenty years – it will never go to waste"

British Council BEI Student Information Page
List of USA Colleges