From America With Love

American student Sally Lynch is spreading the word about British higher education ? and Edge Hill University ? after being selected as a UK student ambassador by the British Council USA.

The 23-year-old from Louisiana studied Performing Arts, Creative Writing and Sociology at Edge Hill in 2005 and was nominated by her home institution, Memphis-based Christian Brothers University, before being interviewed by the British Council ? the UK?s international organisation for educational and cultural relations.

As an ambassador, Sally promotes the exceptional educational opportunities and cultural diversity that help make the UK the number one destination for American study abroad students.

"I loved every minute of my time at Edge Hill and I regularly return to meet up with the many friends that I made," said Sally, who currently works part-time at Memphis Zoo and hopes to pursue a career in animal research. "British education really offers something different to American students ? there?s heaps more arts provision whereas in the US studying is more geared towards business and science.

"At Edge Hill I also found a real sense of community and international students can also expect to feel very secure and liberated by being so far away from home and standing on their own two feet.

"After I graduate this year I intend to continue as an alumni ambassador, endorsing the UK ? and Edge Hill ? as great places to study."

Part of Sally?s role as ambassador includes answering questions about education in the UK, helping out at study abroad fairs, hosting activities and handing out leaflets.

Sarah Gladwinfield, Edge Hill University's Deputy Head of International Operations, said: "Being an ambassador represents a worthwhile and fulfilling experience for the students themselves as they help to promote British education to a wider audience.

"It is particularly pleasing for a former Edge Hill student to be selected by the British Council as it shows that our delivery of education is of a high quality and that international students feel not only comfortable studying here, but confident enough to want to encourage their peers to experience Edge Hill for themselves."

This appointment is further evidence of Edge Hill?s growing popularity with US students with the number of young people heading across the Atlantic now up to 142. And, as with its overall international student population, numbers are expected to continue to grow.