Secondary school students seek out university opportunities in US

Thanks to the Florida University and Exploration Tour, more than 20 secondary school students are in the United States seeking out university opportunities.

Just before the students who were accompanied by their parents and the organisers left the Grantley Adams International Airport last Friday, spokesperson Karen Alleyne told Barbados TODAY the initiative is geared towards exposing students to the opportunities that are available at universities in the Orlando area.

“Last year, we would have gone to two universities; this year we’re going to four – Full Sail University, University of Central Florida, Rosen College which focuses on hospitality, and Hillsborough College in Tampa,” she said.

Alleyne said that the programme, which was started in 2015 by Rhonda Griffith, had been successful at landing students opportunities to study abroad.

“I think it’s very important because it gives children the opportunity to see and to feel what else is out there and let them know that there are other options other than going to the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill campus or any of UWI campuses and what we think is ‘it’ after we finish secondary school.

“So it gives them exposure and we also look at getting scholarships for the students that are accepted into these schools. It has been very successful over the years; we have had placements of different students at universities. We have children placed at schools in all areas, we have hospitality, we have some in track and field, we have some in the information technology area, the arts, all over the place. So I would say that it is pretty good and well spread across.”

This year, close to 30 students are taking part in the ten-day trip.

Alleyne said it could not be possible without sponsorship, and while she thanked the companies that came on board this year, she said more assistance is needed.

(SZB)