MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islander at Oxford.

The first Falkland Islands student to gain a place at Oxford University, Stephen Betts, has been talking about life in Britain's prestigious university.

Stephen, eighteen-year-old son of Donald and Shirley Betts, of Stanley, says he is very proud to be at Oxford. After studying at Peter Symonds College in Southern England, he is taking a four-year course for a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, after which he may do a postgraduate course.

He is working hard but also finding time to be a volunteer teacher and take up piano-playing again. "My first term at Oxford", he says, "has been pretty hectic! There is a very heavy work load but there are also lots of opportunities to enjoy yourself. I amsoon to be a volunteer tutor at a local primary school and I am hoping tostart playing classical Piano again.

"Oxford itself is great - just the right size to feel like a city but small enough to be able to live away from the city centre without needing to use buses, a car or a bike. My college, Lady Margaret Hall, is great, a good mix of people from all backgrounds. When you feel 'hard done by' with your workload, you know that everyone is in the same boat!

"There are quite a few international students here who know what it is like to be far away from home and not able to return home for the weekend. Peter Symonds College prepared me well. I have a lot of independence. It can be amusing to see 19 year old students who still cannot work out a washing machine, tumble drier, iron or cooker!

"I like the Oxford traditions, such as matriculation in the Sheldonian Theatre, shorter terms (only 8 weeks long) and wearing gowns for meeting with the Principal. It makes you feel like you really are in one the best universities in Britain."

While a student at Peter Symonds College, Stephen, was chosen in October 1998 to give the Duke of York a guided tour of the building at the official opening of the students' boarding accommodation called Falkland Lodge.

Harold Briley, London