A FORMER student of Okehampton College is currently taking part in one of the most prestigious academic awards operating worldwide.
Connie Smith, aged 24, has been awarded a US-UK Fulbright Scholarship to study at Columbia University in Manhattan, New York City.
Connie, whose family live on Station Road in Okehampton, will be studying for an MA in Museum Anthropology, focussing on African visual culture.
Speaking to the Times from New York, Connie said: 'I can't quite believe I'm actually in New York!
'It's incredible to think I live in the city I've seen so often on TV and at the cinema.
'So far it's just been amazing to wander around and see the sights — I'm as excited by the pretzel vendors and the yellow cabs as by the Empire State building and Central Park!
'I'll be studying for an MA in Museum Anthropology, which is a professional masters taught between Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History.
'It combines anthropology theory with more career-focussed training in curating, designing exhibitions, and the role and purpose museums can have in public life.
'It's a very exciting program because it offers the opportunity not just to work with Anthropology professors at Columbia — their Anthropology Department is one of the top in the world — but also to get experience working in New York museums, which are wonderful and very respected.'
During the past four years Connie spent a year in Kenya and Ghana working for an educational charity and as a researcher, while at the same time building a passion and understanding for some of the many African cultures.
She added: 'At the moment, I want to focus my studies on African themes, and I'm especially interested in textiles and popular photography.
'In the long term, I want to work in museums, combining academic research with and curating exhibitions in African anthropology. Hopefully this MA will help me get a head start in this direction.'
Fulbright grants provide funding for postgraduate study, research, lecturing and professional development in America, under a number of award categories.
Since its foundation in the aftermath of World War Two by leading Senator J William Fulbright, approximately 15,000 students from the UK have been given the opportunity to study in the United States.
Today, the Fulbright Programme is a globally respected awards programme, with more Fulbright Alumni having won Nobel Prizes than those of any other programme, including two in 2002.
The Fulbright Programme works to promote peace and understanding through educational exchange in the belief that it is an essential vehicle for mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders.