Greece is the Word

The following is a copy of the formal essay I submitted in which I won the scholarship.  Please note:  I was applying for a study abroad scholarship in the summer of 2008 to Germany, Belgium, and Estonia.  This trip was cancelled due to lack of student interest and in its place I opted to go to Greece for a semester.

The International Study Abroad Scholarship Application Essay:

Guten Tag! Goede Dag! Head Aega! Good Day! As a student at Park University with a major in International Business, it is critical that I experience diverse cultures, different political and economic systems, and various languages in order to be successful in the International Business world. The three unfamiliar statements above are the languages of the countries I desire to visit during the International Business Study Tour, May 2008: Germany, Belgium, and Estonia. We will be working with German students on an academic project prior to departure from the United States. Upon arrival we intend to finish our projects and present them with our German partners. This trip offers a rare and exciting opportunity to examine the political, historical, economic, sociological, and cultural aspects of these European countries.

I am blessed to have received the Trustee Transfer Scholarship based upon my GPA at MCC, Maple Woods; where I earned an Associate of Arts Degree with Honors. While attending Maple Woods, I was active in the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and earned the National Collegiate Business Merit Award. Additionally, I participated in various community activities helping with: Adopt-A-Hwy cleanup, soup kitchens, and the Salvation Army. Upon becoming a full time Park University student, I joined the Honors Program team and am a student on the Dean’s List. Despite working full time, I have maintained a perfect GPA and thanks to the Honors Program’s weighted GPA system, it is now a 4.12. I enjoy servant evangelism through the Angel Food Ministries and am committed to volunteer in my community through Vineyard church. I have independently taken action to complete a Dale Carnegie Leadership course and formal diversity training. I go beyond the basic scope of work and school because giving back to my school and community are highly valued elements of my life.

Passion for learning is the driving force behind my desire to explore these countries. I strive to expand my knowledge and want to experience educational situations that are not available in the classroom setting. While studying abroad I plan to take advantage of learning directly from Park’s distinguished faculty. The leadership of this tour consists of: International Business Advisor, Dr. Michael Fitzmorris and the Dean of the School of Business and Management, Dr. Alphonso Ogbuehi. I am eager speak with them in order to grasp their personal knowledge and experience in the international business world.

Global education is a requirement for success in the world today. We can no longer accept the idea that our world contains many separate entities working in a disconnected effort against one another. Instead, we are one complete, integrated world working as a united congregate. Global education plays a key role in preparing the thought process for individuals to explore innovative paths in conducting business and throughout our daily lives. Park University has made global education a possibility for individuals from numerous countries; I too would like to participate in global education through the Study Abroad Program.

Study Abroad will assist in both my educational growth and personal growth. Educationally, this is an amazing opportunity. Working with a German student, long before visiting, will prepare me in understanding how a student with a different background handles planning, composing, and executing a project. This situation will guide me in future business relationships by exposing me to multiple approaches to conducting business and problem-solving. Experience is crucial in the business world and the work and effort that I will put into this trip will help to provide that. Personally, I believe this trip will also expand my cultural sensitivity attitude and deepen my appreciation for culture. I anticipate taking a trip to various nations and communicating with several people from the business world, will be an ideal time to practice my networking skills and build my personal resume. Both educationally and personally this trip offers numerous events that will directly benefit me and indirectly benefit both students and Park University itself. Upon returning I plan to apply my newfound knowledge in various fashions, including promoting internationalization at school.

I plan to promote internationalization to students at Park University by using the experience I gain from this trip, along with my personal knowledge and familiarity with globalization. Unfortunately, I have witnessed students at Park with ethnocentric and stereotypical attitudes. Attending a school that is a center for excellence and innovation in global education, we do not have room for thoughts or actions geared toward immature labeling. In fact, with 450 students from 91 different countries, it is absurd to treat others with disrespect based on their culture. I have met individuals who view their own culture as superior to all others. These people do not understand or welcome change; instead, they judge all other groups according to the standards, behaviors, and customs of their own group. Using this opportunity to expand my knowledge of various customs, I will be better equipped to help individuals not only to understand, but to embrace the special distinctions of each unique culture.

There are four themes of talent I strongly encompass: achieving, disciplining myself, focusing, and learning. By understanding these characteristic traits I will pinpoint four objectives that I plan to accomplish through this program. When dissecting each theme, I will choose a measurable objective and relay how these talents can be used specifically to attain these goals.

 
As an achiever I am driven to succeed. Completing multiple tasks on a daily basis gives me deep personal satisfaction. This drive pushes me to achieve more and gives me the energy I need to work hard and long without burning out. It is the push I can depend on to get me started on new tasks and challenges. As an achiever I am able to work full time, go to school full time, participate in my church and community, and still maintain a GPA above 4.0. You can rest assure I will take what I learn from this program and apply it to all aspects of my life. I will be able to communicate the insight I gain on this logical and emotional journey through other cultures with people at work, school, and church.

I am remarkably disciplined. I instinctually impose structure in my life, set up routines, and focus on timelines and deadlines. I take a major project and break it down into simple daily tasks. This will be a fundamental component in working with a student from Germany. Waiting until the last minute is no option when you’re working with someone thousands of miles away, similar to international business relationships. The routines, timelines, and structure all help create a feeling of control and stability. I will be confident in working with a German student and preparing for activity-filled days overseas, thanks to my disciplined personality.

As an incredibly focused student, I am constantly asking myself questions such as, “Where will this take me in life?” and “How can I improve myself?” I consistently set goals for myself. These goals serve as my compass, helping me determine priorities and the necessary corrections to get back on course. My focus acts as a filter and every new item that enters my life is evaluated on the basis of whether or not it will help me accomplish my goals. Right now my focus is school and taking advantage of opportunities at Park University. My objective is to openly accept all requirements that come my way, along with going above and beyond the basic tasks requested, in order to study abroad.

I love to learn. The process of learning is what particularly interests me. Listening, understanding, and analyzing are especially exciting. I am motivated by the sturdy and calculated ride from ignorance to competence. The more I learn, the more confident I become, and the more I enjoy learning. Learning is something I am good at, so I embrace the act as if it were some sport I was particularly superior in. It is not my desire to impose my personal views or opinions on others. I do, however, try to spark a desire to learn in others. I show people that I am confident in their capabilities, and have noticed people are more willing to participate and learn when someone has faith in them. My last objective is to encourage people to challenge themselves to learn more, specifically in the area of cultural diversity.

My strengths and objectives reinforce the notion that I will reach my full potential both educationally and personally. I remove factors in my life that stand in the way of my ability to be successful. My passion for thriving in life has transformed dreams into realities. My drive to be an achiever, strictly disciplined, powerfully focused, and committed to learning will help me reach and surpass the goals of my future. The obstacles I encounter do not hinder me, they make me stronger, and facilitate in opening doors for new and exciting opportunities.

I would be honored to be selected as a participant in Park University’s International Business Study Tour, May 2008: Germany, Belgium, and Estonia.