Americans' grants defended.

A university lecturer has defended a scheme whereby US students receive grants to study in the UK.

Paul Younger, professor of hydro-geochemical engineering at Newcastle University, said studying in another country broadens students' horizons.

Last week the Chronicle reported on anger over a Government scheme which pays for American students to study in Britain.

Marshall Scholarship students from America receive pounds 40,000 from the Government and the total paid out is pounds 1.8m a year. Natalie Kruz, from Ohio, will be receiving a grant to study at Newcastle University. But Prof Younger says the money is worth it when students are able to put prejudices aside and see what life is like in another country.

He said: "I went to Oklahoma in 1984, and apart from getting a master's degree, I discovered how America really worked. It has made for easier working relationships with people in America. "Being open-minded and wanting to learn about other cultures first-hand, Natalie has taken the admirable decision to put off getting a highly paid job straight away in favour of coming to study here in Britain for two years. To make this possible, she has had to compete, with odds of more than 1,000 to 1, in order to win a scholarship to pay her way.

"UK students can apply for various scholarships which support British postgraduate students in the USA."