A Ballakermeen High School student has been awarded a scholarship to study biology in the United States.

A-level student Elen Thornton, of Ballasalla, is set to cross the Atlantic Ocean after securing a place at the University of Arizona with a four year scholarship.

’It’s nerve-racking because it’s a long way away and my family will be here, but I’m also excited about it,’ she told the Manx Independent.

Elen, aged 19, hopes to become a doctor. She will be leaving the island in July to prepare for her course starting in August.

She will receive $16,000 (about £12,000) towards her undergraduate degree every year for four years, as part of the University of Arizona Excellence Tutorial scholarship.

Having been born in Phoenix, Arizona, and living there until she moved to the island at the age of 12, she feels comfortable about settling into the ’different’ environment.

’Ever since I moved to the island I decided that I wanted to go to America for university.

’I go back there every year. Two years ago I went to the University of Pennsylvania for a medical summer camp for four weeks. The culture is very different from here, but the difference is nice.’

According to Elen, the application process to study in the USA was a lengthy and ’difficult’ one due to her being an overseas student.

’My dad, James, and I did a lot of research about the process to get into university over there. My deputy heads at Ballakermeen sixth form, Ian Watson and Samantha Dawson, helped me with the process by giving references.

’Since I applied to quite a few universities, I had to write a few essays and answer specific questions. Mr Watson and Mrs Dawson helped by reading through them and pointing things out to me.’

Although Elen received many offers from a range of universities, she decided on Arizona due to the location and because it treated her like a ’real human-being than like a number’.

’I wanted to feel like they want me to do my best,’ she added.