12 Apr 07

Emma Link, a 25-year-old Australian maths postgraduate from Green College, has been named the South East's International Student of the Year, 2007 in a British Council competition. The International Student Awards do not focus solely on students' academic achievements but look at their extracurricular activities and community involvement. As well as supporting many student welfare issues, Emma organised an environmentally friendly auction and a unique 'rich-poor' charity dinner,where 80 per cent ate rice and 20 per cent ate a three-course meal, raising cash for the Oxford Homeless Medical Fund.

The International Student Awards is different from other student competitions. Instead of focusing solely on academic achievements, it focuses on extra-curricular achievements and community involvement, celebrating the whole international student 'experience'. To enter, each student was asked to write a personal 'letter home' in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their time in the UK so rewarding. Emma, who is in the third year of her DPhil in medical statistics and epidemiology, wrote: 'When I finish my doctorate, I'd like to help with an epidemiological study in East Africa for malaria prevention and treatment before returning to Australia to continue research into disease prevention.'

From school pupils to postgraduates, international students at all levels entered the competition. And as well as earning wider recognition for their accomplishments, their 'from the heart' accounts of living away from their homes and families also give the British Council and academic institutions valuable insights into visitors' perceptions of the UK.

In her letter, Emma starts by talking about her ballet rehearsals for a show at Green College: 'The supportive environment here at college encouraged me, and I was elected Student President of nearly 400 scholars! In this role I take care of the student entertainments and welfare issues all year - especially for the new students coming into college. Initially I had many questions from the hundreds of new students in the months leading up to the arrival, and I hope I was reassuring for all of them.'

Emma's sporting interests are also impressive: she is Treasurer of the Riding Club, and competes for the University in the Equestrian club and college rowing team. Alongside all this, she also found time to go to Buckingham Palace to collect an award from the Queen on behalf of her unit for their research into heart disease.

Her letter provides insight into the cultural differences international students encounter: 'Without a doubt, the true benefit in coming to the UK is the variety of individuals I meet -through helping a new international student distinguish between trousers and pants, to receiving instruction from an Olympic rider or passing on statistical knowledge to a school student - I will always remember those who taught me about different cultures, careers and confidence.'

Emma will be one of 12 regional winners who will meet a final judging panel on 25 April at a national awards ceremony in London.