9/11 Summer Camp heads to University of Birmingham

25 US teenagers who were affected by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 are currently enjoying a special activity-packed tour of the UK.

The trip includes a stay at the University of Birmingham where they will take part in a blogging masterclass, explore its iconic Edgbaston campus and find out more about life at a leading UK higher education institution. The teenagers will also visit the University’s renowned Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon to discover the impact of the world famous playwright’s work on world culture.

Organised by the British Council, the 9/11 Summer Camp is in its fourth year. The 10-day trip offers the US teenagers a firsthand opportunity to experience the cultural and educational opportunities of the UK. Funded by the UK 9/11 Scholarship Fund, the programme is tailored to teenagers who endured the death or serious injury of a parent in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

One of the students, Jessica Wisniewski, commented: “The camp has exceeded my expectations; we’ve done lots of different activities so far and it’s been great fun. Visiting a university, such as Birmingham, gives me a real idea of what I could expect if I chose to study in the UK. ”

Marilyn Miles, Head of International Development at the University of Birmingham, added: “We are delighted to be working with the British Council on the Birmingham leg of the 9/11 Summer Camp and to have the group staying on our campus.  It’s a fantastic programme and we hope that their time at Birmingham will contribute to what is sure to be a memorable experience for the group in the UK.”

In addition to the University of Birmingham, the 9/11 Summer Camp itinerary includes four days in Scotland visiting Edinburgh and Loch Lomond, and three days in Wales taking in Conway, Llandudno and Snowdonia.

• The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
• Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes.
• We earn over 75% of our annual turnover of £739 million from services which customers pay for, education and development contracts we bid for and from partnerships. A UK Government grant provides the remaining 25%.  We match every £1 of core public funding with over £3 earned in pursuit of our charitable purpose.
• For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org  
• A member of the Russell Group of 20 leading UK research-intensive universities, the University of Birmingham is a vibrant, global community and an internationally-renowned institution, in the top 100 globally. With approximately 28,000 students and 6,000 members of staff, its work brings people from more than 150 countries to Birmingham. For further information, visit: www.birmingham.ac.uk 
• For media enquiries, please contact Catherine Byerley, International Press and PR Officer, University of Birmingham, Tel: + 44 (0)121 414 8254, Email: c.j.byerley@bham.ac.uk or Samantha Williams, Press and PR Assistant, University of Birmingham, Tel +44 (0) 121 414 6029, Email: s.k.williams@bham.ac.uk