Having gone from College drop out to University Graduate, Tyler Owen will be the first Bermudian to participate in the Ace USA Underwriter Training Programme in New York City.

Mr. Owen also won the prestigious Ace/Robert Clements scholarship while studying at St. John's University in New York.

Mr. Owen explained that he used to be a terrible student but he has had to study hard to realise the amazing achievement in going from being a college drop out to graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Risk Management and Insurance.

The graduation took place in New York on May 17 and was attended by Mr. Owen and his family.

He said: "I was never a good student but I was always interested in business."

Mr Owen who spoke enthusiastically about his plans for the future said he wants to spend the next five years learning as much as possible and get as many professional designations as he can.

He has already sat two of the required eight exams to gain a CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) professional designation.

Mr. Owen, who attended both Saltus Grammar School and Warwick Academy had made several previous attempts to study at college abroad, but without completing his studies.

Instead he returned to Bermuda where he worked as a bartender for several years before he completed a business degree at Bermuda College, which became a turning point for him as a student. He said: "Bermuda College is good at helping students succeed and did well in preparing me to go to St John's University."

It was while studying at Bermuda College that his aunt told him about St. John's University and encouraged him to apply.

Mr Owen said: "It is the best educational experience I have had. I studied risk management at their campus right in the financial district in Manhattan. The professors are great.

"I have teachers here at St. John's who I will l stay in touch with and who have given me a lot of advice. The studies include a lot of math and stats. It's applied theory based on numbers and stats."

Mr. Owen, who used to play for the Bermuda national basketball team, has had to cut back on sports to make time for his studies. "I study very hard," he explained.

Although he does take the time to go to enjoy the arts such as the opera and and theatre.

Having saved money from his time as a bartender, Mr. Owen initially paid for his studies out of his own pocket.

But once he applied for a number of different scholarships he won all of them but one. He decided to accept the Ace/Robert Clements scholarship since he felt it was the most prestigious one and the one which would look after him the best.

He said: "Ace takes care of you throughout your career. I would recommend anyone interested in a career in insurance to apply."

Winning the scholarship also gave Mr. Owen the opportunity to work as an intern at Ace during the school holidays.

To work as an intern and get the opportunity to see how theory was used in practice was an eye opener for Mr. Owen. He explained: "I have had the opportunity to spend three intern sessions working for Ace in Bermuda.

"I have learnt so much from the internships. It has kept me constantly challenged and made me a better student. The hands on experience has turned me around as a student and has made a huge difference.

"My grades got better after doing the internships. To see how the theory is really applied makes studying much more interesting. I got to ask a lot of questions and talked a lot to underwriters and interacted with brokers."

Mr. Owen said he can not wait until July when he starts the Ace USA Underwriter Training Programme which lasts for a year and a half.

But first he will take the opportunity to travel around Europe with his girlfriend.

The Ace office is right in the financial district which is handy for Mr. Owen who lives in nearby Queens.

Mr. Owen is hoping to spend more time in New York after finishing the training programme but ultimately wants to return to his native Bermuda which he loves.

Mr. Owen said: "Ace has done so much for me. I get great support from them." He also took the opportunity to thank his mother for all her support.