Alice Bean, 17, who has just finished school at St Ivo in St Ives, has won a coveted place at one of the 13 internationally famous United World Colleges, headed by Queen Noor of Jordan and Nelson Mandela.
Alice won her place after submitting a university-style application to study with students from all over the world.

She will live in what United World Colleges describe as "an environment designed to foster international understanding, peace, justice and a commitment to serving their communities."

Alice heard about the organisation through a friend who was applying to Norway and chose Hong Kong after taking a course in Chinese at school.
Alice said: "Hong Kong seems to suit me" – and it's not hard to see why it interested her.

Alice will be studying on the coast in a college which offers extra curricular activities such as coral reef monitoring and volleyball.
She said: "I'll miss my friends and family most and I'm a veggie, so finding food I like will be interesting."

But she is certain she will enjoy herself and added: "My parents are really happy for me but probably a bit sad to see me go."
Her advice to anyone who is interested in following in her footsteps is: "Know about the world and want to change it for the good.

"They look for people who are organised and have lots of extra-curricular activities. I was chairwoman of the sixth form committee and played rugby."

She is also about to complete her Duke of Edinburgh Gold award.
Alice will leave for Hong Kong in September to study for an International Baccalaureate – a final secondary level exam.