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15 Apr 2011 08:52:25
A University of Bedfordshire student has been honoured in the British Council’s International Student Awards 2011.
Alin Dobrea from Romania is a final year Advertising and Marketing Communications student at the University and has been named a runner-up in the regional finals of the UK’s biggest international student competition.
Alin was one of more than 1,200 students from 118 countries to enter the awards and he celebrated his extraordinary achievements at a national awards ceremony in London on 13 April.
The International Student Awards is a major initiative from the British Council that shines the spotlight on international students and their contributions to life in the UK.
To enter the competition, international students were encouraged to write a personal ‘letter home’ in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their time in the UK so rewarding.
Students studying at universities, colleges of further and higher education, schools and English language institutions across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales shared stories about the extra-curricular achievements that illustrate how they are making the most of their time in the UK.
A judging panel met last month to discuss the merits of short-listed entries from the region. Alin’s letter was judged to be one of the region’s best and he will receive a £100 prize.
Alin has recently been awarded the Vice Chancellor's Scholarship and the Steel Trust Scholarship. He was also part of the winning team at FLUX2010 - the UK's largest inter-university business competition drawing the most enterprising teams from the UK.
He said: “My time in the UK has been both challenging and fun. I've learnt that achieving top grades is not the only thing that matters as a student; what you do outside university is also important.
“For me extra-curricular activities have become as important as the course. There are plenty of opportunities for development and I have tried to grasp these with both hands. These opportunities here have helped me broaden my horizons, but most importantly they have shaped who I am today.”
Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE said: “We’re thrilled that Alin has been recognised in this way. He is a fantastic example of someone who has made the most of their time at University.”
Martin Davidson Chief Executive of the British Council said the letters home written by the entrants were both poignant and inspiring. He added: “The students have immersed themselves in life in the UK and are making a huge contribution not just to their campuses but to the wider community. The British Council is delighted to recognise their considerable achievements.”
