Three Bermudian students are off to study in far-off nations in a bid to discover new ideals and to explore their inner selves.

Bermuda High School for Girls student Shaun?e Crystal James said she is off to Swaziland, in South Africa, but she will start later than the other two.

"I leave in January, as my school is in the Southern Hemisphere and the school year is from January to November," she said.

"I will be attending Waterford Kamhlaba United World College (UWC) of Southern Africa, which is located in Swaziland.

"The mission statement is 'We are of the earth, which does not see differences of colour, religion, or race. We are 'Kamhlaba' ? all of one world'."

Sixteen-year old Shaun?e is looking forward to life at Waterford.

"UWC allows me an extraordinary educational opportunity, to live amongst students from around the world," she said, "And to live within a country that I may never have had the privilege to visit, much less reside in for two years.

"Therefore attending the UWC will provide me with opportunities for cultural interaction and exchange, that I would have otherwise not had, and furthermore it will help me to develop into a more globally conscious citizen."

Shaun?e said she plans to take the opportunity to learn new languages and plans to study Spanish.

"I want to also gain an understanding of Afrikaans and SiSwati," said the Somerset teen, "At the moment I only speak English fluently, although I have an understanding of French up to GCSE level."

She said she had to have top grades to gain acceptance at UWC, because the college demands a lot of their students.

"I had to have high grades because at the UWC, one is working towards the prestigious International Baccalaureate," said Shaun?e. "Thus the curriculum is demanding as it not only requires that one do a great deal of academic work, but also that one participates in a creative activity, a physical activity, and service towards the local community; good grades will allow one to cope with the demands."

The student, who also loves netball, music, debating and basketball, said she planned to work in the legal profession.

"One of my goals in life is to become a successful lawyer, so when I attend University I will be studying law," she said.

Attiya Talbot will be attending the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong from September.

The Berkeley Institute student said she was anticipating her life in the east.

"I can't wait to experience a new culture and open my eyes to new and different types of people," said the Smiths Parish student.

"I want to experience true diversity."

Attiya, 18, said she hoped to learn to speak Chinese while she was in Hong Kong.

She said: "Right now I'm mastering Spanish and when I go to university I hope to study medicine."

She said all students who hope to get accepted into a UWC college have to be top students.

"Having good grades was an important criterion, but you also had to go through a selection and interviewing process with the national committee," said the student who said her hobbies were being with friends, playing netball, sewing, swimming, and reading.

Attiya has to be in Hong Kong by September 3.

Bermuda High School for Girls student Sarah Kristina DeSilva is heading for the land of the Taj Mahal, Hindus, and Buddhism.

The teen from Sandys Parish said she was looking forward to attending the Mahindra United College of India in Pune, which is on the outskirts of Mumbai or the what was the former Bombay.

"It will be an experience that is sure to be hugely rewarding both in the educational sense and in that of learning of the many faces of diversity in the international community," said Sarah.

"Recently I made contact with two girls, who will be in my first year at MUWCI, one who is a native of the country and the other from Nairobi, Africa.

"This has fuelled my excitement to a whole new level. Upon speaking with each other it was already evident not only of our cultural differences, but also the underlying element of the understanding we shared; as my new friend aptly put it 'the similarity in our differences'.

"I know that the experience will change my perceptions and broaden my mindset to thinking outside of the box when it comes to my current perceptions of international conflict and issues.

"I'm eager to hear the views and opinions of my global peers on current issues the world is facing today.

"Furthermore India is literally the other side of the world! The discovery of a culture and society totally, which is very different from the one I know will definitely prove to be a remarkable experience."

The 16-year-old said she was equally excited about the prospect of learning a new language.

"Not only will I be discovering a country hugely different from the one I live in, but I will be learning the national language as well!

"I have opted to take Hindi as my language class so as to further my understanding and appreciation of the country that will be my home for two years.

"It shall be interesting to see how I well I can scrape by on a language foreign to me in a country which equally as foreign."

Sarah, who has recently completed a GCSE in Spanish, said she had a reasonable understanding and grasp of the language.

"I also have some background in the Swedish language as my mother is from Sweden and I spent my early childhood living there," she said.

"This is also an exciting possibility, that I can be able to attempt to converse with other Swedes."

After she finishes studying for her International Baccalaureate she plans to study English, psychology and history at a higher level as well as Hindi, Biology and Mathematics.

"The International Baccalaureate education also entails a course named 'Theory of Knowledge' and MUWCI has an additional class exploring the native culture and traditions of India," she said.

"I hope to continue my studies in either the field of education, journalism or human rights.

"In this way I can work with people from various walks of life which is something I truly enjoy."

She saidhergrades had to be strong enough to be able to cope with the other activities that take place at the college as well as the vigorous two year I.B. course.

"You have to have an academic record that reflects your capability to be able to handle the busy environment of the college and the workload as well," said Sarah, whose other interests include debate and public speaking, mainly writing poetry and reading.

She said: " I also enjoy yoga, soccer and netball and working in the community.

"I have worked with the local World Vision and with the BHS Leo club."

Before arriving in India Sarah will visit family in both the United Kingdom and Sweden.

"I shall arrive in Mumbai, India, in the early morning hours about 3 a.m. of September 11," she said.

"My friend, the soon-to-be fellow first year from India, has told me that the day is an auspicious one.

"I find that an appropriate way to inaugurate the next two years of new beginnings and personally significant experiences."