Chinese language scholarship for local girl

A LOCAL student from Finglas is off on the trip of a lifetime after being accepted onto a much sought-after scholarship programme in Taipei, on the island of Taiwan off the Chinese mainland.

Amber Brownless (22) from McKee Avenue received the news recently that she had secured a place on the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship to study Mandarin for six months.

The programme is designed to promote mutual understanding and interactions between Taiwan, which is only officially recognised by a handful of nations, and the international community.

Amber said she is

“thrilled and delighted to be given this great opportunity

? and will travel to Taiwan with three other Irish students to take up their roles in September of this year.

Amber studied Chinese as part of an Applied Languages degree in DCU and was one of only four students to complete Mandarin as part of their degree.

Local TD John Lyons (Lab) congratulated Amber on her achievement.

“Amber is a very hardworking and talented student,

? he said.

“I know she is very proud of where she’s from and she will continue to make her family and the whole community proud during her time on the scholarship programme.

?

Amber is currently teaching English in Xiamen, Southern China, and after her six months in Taipei will return to Ireland next February as part of an alumni group to promote Taiwan as a place of culture and business.