Global Scholars Application Essay

Global Scholars Program Essay

There have been many experiences that have awakened my interest in the Global Scholars Program, but the most transformative is having an AFS student for a year. While excited to experience having a foreign sibling for a year, I was incredibly nervous. Not only did I not know if I was going to get along with this Finnish Junior named Oskari, but I did not know if he was going to get along with me. I have met and engaged with many students, such as the Niriyama high school visitors and students from Beijing, but nothing this intimate and for this extended period of time. I was completely unversed in Finnish culture and I viewed the mixing of American and Finnish ideals with a sense skepticism. However, as the year progressed, I realized how incredibly similar people from different racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds really are. While he may do strange things, such as eating hamburgers with a fork and knife, his passions, interests, and things that drive him are shared between all high school students from Texas to Indonesia. After connecting with Oskari, I have taken every opportunity to engage with students and adults from varying cultures. Understanding their point of view is of immeasurable importance in a continually expanding and globally interconnected world. I believe that my experiences with students and adults from all around the world will help me contribute varying perspectives on the topical issues of today.

The only way to expand and deepen global perspectives is through experience and interest. By focusing time and effort on creating a expanded and enriched world view, I believe that I can engage in a more critical and impactful way. In a semi-isolated and protected environment the Global Scholars Program is an incredible tool to broaden my experiences. Through the blog, I will be required to meet world problems head on through opinionated and analytical measures, and while completing the Capstone Project I hope to stimulate change and growth within the community. In all, the Global Scholars Program will help me to diversify and develop my world view through engagement and experience.