Study UK reflects on two evenings that brought over 130 UK alumni together in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
Study UK, the British Council’s global campaign, has been traveling from east to west across the United States. In March and April 2026, Study UK hosted two milestone Alumni Connect events in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, bringing together a vibrant community of more than 130 UK alumni. These events served as a powerful reminder of how UK education acts as a motor for positive change across the USA.
Strengthening ties in Washington D.C.
The series opened on March 13 at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., where alumni from across the capital region gathered to reflect on how their time in the UK had shaped their careers in policy, diplomacy, and beyond.
The evening opened with remarks from Edward Roman, Director of Communications and Spokesperson at the British Embassy Washington, before moving into a panel discussion led by Elizabeth Tresnan, Study UK Campaign Director, featuring distinguished alumni whose trajectories speak to the breadth of a UK education:
- Leah Hershey, a Foreign Military Sales Program Analyst at the F-35 Joint Program Office and LSE alumna; and
- Dr. Benjamin Dille, an international consultant and retired diplomat who studied at both LSE and the University of Exeter.
Their conversation ranged across international relations, career pivots, and the lasting influence of their time studying in the UK.
Our thanks go to the diplomatic team at the British Embassy for their generous hospitality, and for a setting that could not have been more fitting.
A milestone event in Los Angeles, California
Similarly, on April 17, the series made its West Coast debut at the British Residence in Los Angeles. Marking its first appearance in the city, the Study UK Alumni Connect event brought graduates together to reflect on how their UK education had shaped careers across law, the arts, science, and public service.
The evening featured a panel of distinguished alumni, led by His Majesty’s Consul General to Los Angeles, Paul Rennie OBE.
- Andrea Driggs, an environmental and natural resources attorney at Holland & Hart LLP and 1997 Marshall Scholar, who holds an MSc from the University of London;
- Raquel Villanueva, spokesperson at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and 2024 Study UK Alumni Awards Culture and Creativity Winner, who holds a Master's in International Broadcast Journalism from the University of Westminster; and
- Ryan Liu, attorney and elected governing board member at Pasadena City College, who holds a Master's in Higher Education from the University of Oxford.
Their conversation explored how navigating the UK as an international student had prepared each of them for the high-stakes, globally connected environments they now work in. Reflecting on the enduring value of these academic links, HM Consul General Paul Rennie OBE noted:
“The education sector remains one of the UK's single most important assets. Hearing the stories from so many talented Americans who made the decision to study in the UK brought home that impact. Not only in terms of what it meant to them personally, but also the doors it opened for them professionally. They bring with them life-long friendships and partnerships that continue to this day, and I look forward to their experience inspiring many more young Americans to get a taste of what life and study is like on the other side of ‘the pond’!”
Our gratitude is extended to Paul Rennie OBE and the British Consulate General in Los Angeles for hosting a genuinely memorable first for the city.
Looking ahead
The success of the Study UK Alumni Connect events in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles marks just the beginning. On May 22, 2026, the British Council will bring the Study UK Pop-up Experience to The Ebell of Los Angeles as part of Greater Together LA - the largest UK trade mission ever to visit the United States.
Open to students, families, and education professionals, the day features an educational exhibition with 15+ UK universities and organisations, masterclasses, and a full day of immersive sessions, a British cultural hour and closing with the prestigious 2026 Study UK Alumni Awards ceremony.
We hope that you all will join us on May 22 in Los Angeles as we welcome the US student community to experience the power of UK education, and its enduring impact on the UK–US special relationship.
Register now to be a part of it
