A PUPIL from an Oxford school is today flying to Brazil to spend six weeks representing the UK as a Prime Minister’s Global Fellow.

George Meagher, a pupil at d’Overbroeck’s College, was one of just 100 young people chosen to fly the flag for the UK in one of the three fastest growing world economies — China, India and Brazil.

The 19-year-old, who lives near Thame, was chosen from thousands of applicants for the programme, during a selection process overseen by Gordon Brown.

Mr Meagher said: “This is an opportunity to completely immerse myself in another culture.”

It is the second year of the programme, with the aim of the scheme being to nurture outstanding talent and enterprise among young people.

For the first two weeks, Mr Meagher and the rest of the contingent will be in Rio de Janeiro, learning about the life and language of the country and visiting one of the ‘favelas’ (slums), on the outskirts of the city.

Then he will spend two weeks living with a family in the country’s biggest city, Sao Paulo, teaching English, and completing a research project with Brazilian students.

His final two weeks will be spent on a placement with Cadbury’s. Other people will be placed with companies including HSBC, Ernst and Young, Tesco and Shell.

Mr Meagher, who plans to start a degree in French and international business at Bath University in September, said: “From a personal point of view, seeing people living in poverty and how they deal with that, will be quite a big deal.

“One of the other big things is looking at how international business works on a day-to- day basis.”

He has been given a camera to document his journey, and said he planned to report back on his experiences to both d’Overbroeck’s and Magdalen College School, where he previously studied.

All the fellows will have a chance to tell the Prime Minister about their experiences, at a reception in November.

The programme is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and managed by the British Council.

Gordon Brown said: “I am proud of the 100 young people who have been selected for their outstanding talent, enthusiasm and potential.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk