A Wymondham student has been able to share her experiences of learning about other cultures in a personal reception with the Prime Minister.Kate Jenkins, 18, took part in a six-week trip to India, as part of the Prime Minister's Global Fellowship, along with 100 young people form across the country earlier this year.

A Wymondham student has been able to share her experiences of learning about other cultures in a personal reception with the Prime Minister.

Kate Jenkins, 18, took part in a six-week trip to India, as part of the Prime Minister's Global Fellowship, along with 100 young people form across the country earlier this year.

During her time in India, Kate, who is currently in the first year of a degree at Durham University studying French and Arabic, spent two weeks on a cultural programme learning about the life and language of India, two weeks in a school interacting with students and staying with an Indian family.

She spent the final two weeks with oil company Shell, experiencing first-hand how the global economy works.

After returning from the trip, Kate was also able to talk about on her experiences at a reception held last month with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

She said: 'The Prime Minister had a chat with us about what we had done and looked at the yearbook which we had put together while we were in India, in which we had all written something to sum up our experience of being in India.

'He also gave a speech in which he said we had been chosen because will be leading the country in the future. He also said how he wanted us to share our experiences with other people and pass the message on about getting involved with the fellowship.

'It was a fantastic opportunity for me, as I would never have been able to afford or arrange such a trip myself. I have made some lifelong friends, both in India and from all around England. It's an experience I will never forget.'

Now she has returned she is aims to share her experiences and play an active role in encouraging other young people to take an interest in enterprise and inspire them to become active global citizens.

The Global Fellowship has been designed to give 100 young people from England an introduction to the tiger economies of Brazil, India and China to understand the social, economic and environmental issues posed by rapid global change.

It is supported by major international companies including Cadbury Schweppes, HSBC, Tata Consultancy Services and Virgin Atlantic and is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and managed by the British Council.

Commenting on the Global Fellowship, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said: 'I am very proud of the 100 young people who were selected for their outstanding talent, enthusiasm and potential.'

More information on the fellowship can be accessed via www.global-fellowship.org.