Virtual Exchange Program Application

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I have applied for the Virtual Alumni Language Exchange Program for alumni of U.S. State Department sponsored Language learning scholarships in order to pursue a greater level of Russian language proficiency.  Following, is the essay I submitted with my application.

 

“I am interested in participating in the Virtual Exchange Program for two main reasons:  to give other students the opportunity I was given to understand a foreign language, and to further develop my own Russian skills.  My language learning career started on a whim.  I started learning the Russian alphabet because it looked interesting, and challenging.  Two years later, I was in the heart of Russia studying the Russian Language for six weeks on a NSLI-Y scholarship.  Had I not received that scholarship, I likely would have never discovered my passion for seriously pursuing the Russian language.  I want to help give other students a similar opportunity as I had: to invest in a real human relationship with a person from a foreign culture.  Studying Spanish in high school, I never got the opportunity to put my language skills to productive use by communicating with a native speaker.  I want to give others that opportunity.

I also want to participate in the Virtual Exchange Program in order to maximize my own Russian language progress.  I am currently studying fourth year Russian at Ohio State University.  While the course is very challenging for me, I still desire the human contact that makes learning a foreign language practical, easier, and fun.  Participating in the Virtual Exchange Program would give me the opportunity to meet even more native Russian speakers.  I would not only be able to practice with my host family, but also with more of my peers who are striving for a similar goal as I am.  As I am a recent returnee, returning this past August, my language skills are fresh, and I plan to keep them fresh.  I see the Virtual Exchange Program as an excellent opportunity to develop my Russian throughout the year.

Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of my exchange experience was my return home.  I returned home to an American society that believes a variety of negative stereotypes about Russia.  In the weeks I have been home from my program, I have particularly enjoyed helping my college roommates come to understand on a more personal level the realities of life in Russia, as I experienced them.

Participating in the Virtual Exchange Program will help me improve my Russian language skills.  This is extremely important to me because I hope to use those skills to serve the United States in public service.  I am currently studying Security and Intelligence, and Russian at Ohio State University.  This summer, I hope to study in Russia again with the Critical Language Scholarship.  Participating in the Virtual Exchange Program will help me maximize my language acquisition and retention, enabling me better serve the United States.”

Career

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About Me

[Your “About Me” is an introduction and should provide insight into who you are as a person and a learner.  This should include a picture of you that is appropriate in a professional/academic context. This information should be continually updated.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio.  Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Progress on G.O.A.L.S. – Sophomore Year

Global Awareness:

Majoring in both International Studies and Russian, I value a strong sense of global awareness.  I am fascinated by foreign languages, cultures, and politics.  Because of this passion, I am continuing my Russian language coursework beyond what is required for the Russian major.  I also gained valuable insights into Russian culture through my study abroad program in St. Petersburg in the summer of 2017.  I plan to broaden my understanding of the world by taking a class on culture and politics in the Middle East.

 

Summer 2017 study abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Original Inquiry:

I significantly improved my research skills in International Studies 4700, Terror and Terrorism.  In this class, I composed six papers in which I synthesized a variety of thoughts from different authors to argue a clear point.  I learned to take notes any time I read an article so that I could later use information from that source to support my argument.  I am also striving to take the most advanced coursework possible. For instance, instead of pursuing a foreign language minor, as required by my originally declared International Studies major, I have declared Russian as a second major.  I also plan to take graduate level Russian classes to continue developing my language proficiency.

 

Academic Enrichment:

One thing I have learned in the various classes I have taken about intelligence analysis is that global climate change affects decisions foreign governments make.  In order to better understand climate change, I took Geography 1900H to fulfill one of my natural science General Education requirements.  I also plan to take Geography 3901H to further increase my understanding of climate change and help me better understand the motivations of foreign governments’ policy decisions.

 

Leadership Development:

I am an active member and leader of a Catholic student organization called Saint Paul’s Outreach.  I currently serve as the president of the student organization, lead a men’s group, help plan retreats, and help lead outreach events.  I will continue serving in this capacity until graduation.

 

Service Engagement:

I currently serve middle school students at a local Catholic parish as a small group leader.  I value my upbringing in the Catholic faith, and I want to give that opportunity to other people.  By leading a small group, I not only serve the youth in my community, but also gain leadership experience.  I plan to continue serving in this capacity next year.

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness:

Majoring in both International Studies and Russian, I value a strong sense of global awareness.  I am fascinated by foreign languages, cultures, and politics.  Because of this passion, I plan to take Russian language courses beyond what is required for the Russian major.  I also plan to study abroad in Russia in order to further develop my language skills and increase my appreciation for Russian culture.  In addition, I would like to visit Spain for a shorter term study abroad opportunity.

Original Inquiry:

At this point in my freshman year, having nearly completed my first semester, I do not plan on beginning any research opportunities.  I do, however, plan to start exploring research opportunities during the Autumn semester of my sophomore year.  Since I am not currently focused on researching, I am striving to take the most advanced coursework possible.  For instance, instead of pursuing a foreign language minor, as required by my originally declared International Studies major, I intend to declare Russian as a second major.

Academic Enrichment:

The large amount of transfer and examination credit that I have prior to starting this fall semester allows me to explore possible career fields in much greater depth.  I plan to take a variety of courses with specific focuses in order to expose myself to a variety of possibilities for future careers.  I plan to take more courses within my major field than are required in order to experience different disciplines within the International Studies field.

Leadership Development:

I plan to take a leadership role in a Catholic organization called Saint Paul’s Outreach.  I will lead small groups, organize events, and lead outreach events.  As a first semester freshman, I have already begun to accept smaller leadership positions within this organization.  I currently co-lead an evangelistic men’s group, and help prepare for various social events.

Service Engagement:

I plan to serve middle and high school students from different parts of Ohio at Catholic Youth Summer Camp.  I value my upbringing in the Catholic faith, and I want to give that opportunity to other people.  In doing so, not only would I serve the youth in my community, but I would also gain leadership experience through leading a small group or organized activity.