A Bermudian scholarship winner studying insurance at Georgia State University has been spotlighted by the US Consulate General.

A video featuring Reihonna Lema and launched on social media illustrates the partnerships between Bermuda College and US colleges and universities, US Consul General Karen Grissette said.

Its launch coincides with the eve of the annual Bermuda Railway Trek, a cross-island walk to raise funds for Bermudians studying at GSU.

Ms Lema was awarded more than $15,000 by GSU’s Bermuda Scholarship Fund, which for 19 years has backed Bermudian students admitted to the Atlanta-based university’s risk management and insurance programme.

In total, Ms Lema raised more than $55,000 for her studies.

As well as support from the fund, she has been backed by the Association of Bermuda International Companies, the Department of Workforce Development, and the Elliot School Alumni Further Education Award.

In the video, Ms Lema explains that she chose GSU for its “top-ranked risk-management programme” with “a lot of room for growth”.

Campus diversity and GSU’s proximity to Bermuda were also a plus.

Ms Lema, a 2019 Berkeley Institute graduate, attended Bermuda College with support from the College Promise Programme funded by the Bermuda Government for graduates of CedarBridge and the Berkeley Institute with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

It covers up to $5,000 in tuition per academic year for a two-year period.

She earned an associate of arts degree in 2022 with distinction in business administration and transferred to GSU to complete a bachelor's degree.

Bermuda College is accredited in the US, with direct transfer programmes to top US universities.

Ms Grissette said Ms Lema’s story highlighted the value of partnerships between Bermuda College and US colleges and universities.

“These pathways provide ways for students like Reihonna to pursue US education with limited out-of-pocket costs and obtain a degree from a top-ranked US university that has deep ties to Bermuda’s business community,” she said.

“Those connections pay off when students compete for jobs back in Bermuda.”

After graduating from GSU, Lema intends to return to Bermuda to foster innovation and change within the international business community.

Tomorrow, the Bermuda Scholarship Fund hosts its 19th annual fundraising Bermuda Railway Trek.

Sponsors and supporters will walk from Somerset Bridge to Bailey’s Bay.

To date, the fund has awarded more than $230,000 in scholarships and aims to exceed their goal of raising $250,000 this year. Students who apply and are admitted to GSU in finance, risk management and insurance are eligible.

Ms Grissette will participate in the walk.

The latest video supports the Consulate’s ongoing Study With “US” campaign, highlighting Bermudian students attending US colleges and universities, and longstanding educational exchange ties between the countries.

Bermudian students do not require a US student visa and there are no delays due to biometrics collection.

#StudyWithUS provides information on paths to pursue higher education through EducationUSA.

The network promotes US higher education to students around the world, offering information and assistance.

The US Consulate can provide information about the student visa process and preparing for departure to the United States.