Sixteen interns have completed the “intro to insurance” programme presented by the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies.

The programme, held annually in Bermuda, Atlanta, Chicago, and London, provides teams of university students with the opportunity to learn about the insurance industry and careers that would suit their goals. Participants this year ranged from sophomores to graduates.

Applicants choose the jurisdiction they would like to visit and BFIS endeavours to accommodate them. The programme is three weeks long in Bermuda, and lasts two weeks in the other locations.

Bermuda participants were N’Zhari Phillips, business, Arden University; Meinhardt Rentrup, economics, Haverford; Nathan Burgess, science, Dalhousie; and Calum Maule, political science, Queen’s.

In Chicago, the interns were Rajah Steede, insurance and risk management, Georgia State University; Ezra Turner, IT management, Oxford Brookes; Théo Wolffe, applied economics, Queen’s; and Haley Ball, communications, Trent Durham.

Taking part in Atlanta were Linda Amaral, accounting, Queen’s; Cameron Bell, management, Bristol; Shatonae DeSilva, business administration, Bermuda College; and Samuel Trott, history, University of Virginia.

Interns participating in London were Imani Smith, actuarial, Kingston; Amon Wedderburn, insurance and risk management, St John’s; Zoe Wright, economics, Bristol; and Matthew Bacon, management and finance, Roger Williams.

Fourteen interns gave presentations to more than 50 insurance professionals, former interns and BFIS scholars about what they had learnt during the programme.

Jane Bielby, BFIS administrator, expressed appreciation for the 51 companies both in Bermuda and overseas that hosted the students. Staff in those companies gave their time and knowledge to meet for a morning, an afternoon or occasionally for a full day to discuss their roles, give presentations, offer advice and guidance, and take part in work-shadowing, she said. Three companies hosted students in all four locations.

Since inception, 177 Bermudian students have taken part in the programme. The Bermuda programme started in 2001, with Chicago coming on board in 2006, London in 2008 and Atlanta in 2012.

The programme is co-sponsored by Axa XL for the overseas internships in Atlanta, Chicago and London, and by Allied World for Bermuda. A spokesman said: “BFIS is most grateful for their continuing support as we would not otherwise be able to offer this amazing opportunity to students.”

The spokesman added: “Sincere thanks are also extended to the BDA and BTA for providing materials for the students to give to host companies and to KPMG who kindly provided the venue for the final presentation.”

BFIS said interns found the programme valuable from both an educational and networking point of view, and strongly encouraged other students to participate in future cohorts.

The programme is typically open to undergraduates in either their junior or senior years. Interested students are advised to contact BFIS at info@bfis.bm.