Their inspirational accounts of student life in the UK have won three students from University of Warwick top accolades in the UK’s biggest competition for international students.

Singaporean student Eugene Aw has been named the West Midlands' International Student of the Year 2009 in the prestigious competition from the British Council.

Eugene Aw is one of 12 regional winners who gathered in London in April to have their achievements honoured in a national awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Newsreader Moira Stewart and Radio 1 DJ Nihal Arthanyake.

Fellow University of Warwick students Yee Hung Lim from Singapore and Pierre Schramm from France have both been named runners-up in the regional finals.

The three were among more than 1,500 students, from 118 countries to enter the seventh annual International Student Awards – a major initiative from the British Council that shines the spotlight on international students and their contributions to life in the UK.

In a bid to take home a prize, students studying at universities, colleges of further and higher education, schools and English language institutions across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales shared stories about the extra-curricular achievements that illustrate how they are making the most of their time in the UK.

To enter, each student was asked to write a personal ‘letter home’ in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their time in the UK so rewarding.

At the judging panel to discuss the merits of short-listed entries from the region, Eugene Aw’s letter was judged to be West Midlands’s most impressive and he received a £1,000 prize.

Eugene Aw said:

Coming to the UK has given me the chance to explore different cultures, different experiences, and more importantly, a different side of me.”

Yee Hung Lim studying Economics and Pierre Schramm studying Mathematics Education are delighted their achievements have also been applauded.

Recognising their achievements, James Kennedy, Director, International Office said

To be able to have Warwick’s International students honoured in this way is truly tremendous and the International Office congratulate Eugene, Yee Hung and Pierre on their success. All three of Warwick’s winners are deserving of their awards and their achievements are a true testament to the possibilities that Warwick can offer and just how much students can achieve in addition to their academic success, during their time in the UK.”