Jacob's off to India

Jacob, 19, will visit India to investigate issues of culture, language, education and global enterprise later this month.

Jacob who has completed his A Levels in Geography, Economics and Psychology at Park College, Eastbourne, is one of 100 successful fellows for the Prime Minister's Global Fellowship Programme who will be visiting emerging economies from across the world.

When he returns home, he will visit St Richards Catholic College as well as Filsham Valley School in Hastings and Park College to talk about his visit.

Jacob managed to beat thousands of applicants from across the country and is the only student in East Sussex to have been chosen.

The aim of this fellowship award is to nurture outstanding talent and enterprise in young people in England though exposure and dialogue.

Jacob said: "I only found out about this when my dad spotted the ad in a magazine. I decided to enter, but didn't dream that I would get a place.

"It is an amazing programme. The British Council, who manages the project, allows 100 young people to visit three emerging economies '“ Brazil, China and India to look at cultural diversities and how businesses function.

"When we get back in the autumn, the aim is to spread the word, try to bridge culture gaps and understand that we live in a globalised world.

"The selection process was tough. I, along with my Geography tutor, Roger Vince, had to submit a lengthy application. I was then invited to an interview. They were more interested in me as a person than my background. That's why this is a great programme. Anyone can enter."

Jacob will be flying to India at the end of the month, where he will spend a week in New Delhi learning Hindi, then fly to Mumbai where he will live with a host family, visit a school and visit a consultancy agency.

He has met Lord Neil Kinnock and will hopefully meet Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Family and the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown at a conference in November.

Jacob added: "Lord Kinnock told me I had to represent Wales, as I used to live there."

Roger Vince, Course Leader for Earth Studies at Park College had to write a supporting statement.

He said: "Jacob is a very personable and thoughtful young man. He has got so much out of Park; it was just the right environment for him and gave him what he needed. The personalised teaching brought out his potential. I am delighted for him"

Jacob will be blogging his experiences at http://www.global-fellowship.org/Blog/