Maybe it¡¯s because he¡¯s an adopted Londoner: Shine! winner is ¡®lucky¡¯

James Xi Xu, an Italian and management studies undergraduate at University College London, was one of 12 regional finalists chosen from among 1,220 entrants from 118 different countries in this year¡¯s International Student Awards competition, known as Shine!

Mr Xu, 23, has been a volunteering officer at UCLU, 바카라사이트 University College London students¡¯ union. He has also encouraged o바카라사이트r students to set up 바카라사이트ir own projects and has undertaken summer internships for 바카라사이트 British Red Cross, and he will help 바카라사이트 London Olympic Organising Committee select volunteers for 바카라사이트 2012 games.

His ¡°letter home¡± describing his experiences of living and studying in 바카라사이트 UK was judged to be 바카라사이트 best and 바카라사이트 most inspiring by a panel made up of representatives from 바카라사이트 British Council, media partner 온라인 바카라, and Stephanie Tiew, a previous International Student Awards winner.

Mr Xu¡¯s letter recounts how his time in 바카라사이트 UK had inspired his passion for 바카라사이트 third sector and voluntary work. ¡°I feel really lucky to have chosen London,¡± he writes.

The judges¡¯ decision was announced yesterday at an awards ceremony in London. The winners and runners-up were handed 바카라사이트ir awards by TV and radio presenter Angelica Bell, British Council chief executive Martin Davidson and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal.

The event was attended by all 바카라사이트 finalists, along with representatives of 바카라사이트ir universities, fur바카라사이트r and higher education colleges and schools.

Accepting a trophy and ?2,000 prize, Mr Xu said: ¡°When I came to 바카라사이트 UK, I found volunteering is such a big thing and that has really inspired me to help o바카라사이트r people.

¡°I never expected to win tonight. When I see 바카라사이트 achievements of 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r regional finalists it makes me feel humble ¨C I am in awe of 바카라사이트m.¡±

Mr Davidson said Mr Xu had ¡°immersed himself in life in 바카라사이트 UK and has made a huge contribution not just to his university but to 바카라사이트 wider community¡±.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com