24-year-old Melissa Ilboudo – who is studying International Development at the University of East Anglia – was one of 12 regional finalists selected out of 1,300 students from 121 different countries who entered this year’s International Student Awards competition, known as Shine!

Her “letter home” describing her experiences of living and studying in the UK was judged to be the best and the most inspiring by a panel made up of representatives from the British Council, the National Union of Students, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, and The Times Higher Education magazine.

The judges’ decision was announced at an awards ceremony in London hosted by Vernon Ellis, the British Council’s new Chair and former International Chairman of Accenture. The winners were handed their awards by TV presenter Konnie Huq at the event attended by all the finalists with representatives of their universities, further and higher education colleges, and schools.

Shine! is the only competition that celebrates international students’ unique contributions to life in Britain, taking into account a wide variety of achievements and activities rather than focussing solely on academic work. Entrants are asked to describe in a letter how their experiences in UK institutions and communities have helped them develop new life skills and influenced their interests and goals, and how they have contributed to life in Britain, and back home.

Melissa’s winning letter tells how, from the beginning of her time at University in the UK, she had a strong desire to both raise awareness of the effects of climate change and support the work of two NGOs operating in Burkina Faso. She began volunteering for Christian Aid and giving talks in churches and schools.

In February 2009 Melissa applied for a grant from the European Union to help two of the NGOs working In Burkina Faso.  Her application was successful on the condition that she raised £20,000 ‘match funding’. After organising many fundraising events and increasing awareness through the local media, she exceeded her target, raising £50,000 in just 10 months.  This incredible achievement meant that the NGOs received over £100,000 to help fund local projects in Burkina Faso.

And Melissa’s tireless work raising awareness of climate change issues led her to be invited to attend the summit in Copenhagen where she had what she called “another unforgettable experience” – meeting president Obama.

Accepting a trophy and £2,000 prize, Melissa said: “I only heard about the awards one hour from the deadline when my friend told me about them and although I was in the middle of my dissertation, I decided to go for it.  I just wrote exactly what I felt and it was rewarding to realise how much I’ve achieved since arriving in the UK.

“For me Shine is a celebration of the cultural diversity of the UK and being a part of the awards has taught me to seize any opportunity that comes your way – you never know how it will turn out!”