Scholarship Essay by Tyler

Scholarship Essay by Tyler - July 2015 Scholarship Essay

Before I graduate, I must study abroad. For me it is essential, not only for my career but for my life. I want to be a citizen of the world, sensitized to topics that effect the world, and not just The United States. I am studying economics. We live and work in a global economy; international business is business today. France, where I plan to study business for a year, has had a huge impact, not only to our nation’s history but also the field of economics. Adam Smith’s idea of the invisible hand came from his trips there. Laissez-faire economics, the basis for the free-market is actually French, but this is common knowledge. What is not as well known is that France is a world leader in mathematics education. By studying math intensive business courses in France I plan to gain an advantage educationally, and undoubtedly in the job market. I will also be able to take French Language courses for business communication, an important skill since I want to work internationally. Discovering this, I applied, and am proud to have been accepted to the ISEP academic year program in business studies at the Université Pierre Mendez France, in Grenoble, France.

One of the problems I face is that as a self-supporting student, I live off campus and cook my own meals because on-campus housing and a meal plan are more than I can afford. So far, I have paid $1070, and have budgeted another $1200 for my plane ticket, and 213 euros for Sécurité (Mandatory national health insurance). Paying these expenses has not been easy. I earned the money working as a cook while in school full-time, working late and waking up early for class. It came from a seven day work week throughout the school year, working 30 hours straight many weekends. It came from my Christmas Eves, Valentine’s Days, and Mother’s Days, and spring and winter breaks. Saving this money has taken careful planning, budgeting, and sacrifice. It is drenched in my sweat. This is not a vacation to me, it is an investment in my future. Studying in Grenoble is going to allow me to get training in a foreign language, and get experience I need in my field. This is why I have been assiduously saving and seeking funding.

By being well-informed, persistent, and diligent, I was awarded a $1000 study abroad voucher from the Global Education Office at my university. I also hope to be able to count on some money from Pell grants, but inevitably I am going to have to take out student loans. Seeing this was still not enough, I started a GoFundMe account, and so far my family and close friends have contributed $435. Their support means so much to me, I am truly grateful. My youngest sister has Type 1 Diabetes, and her expensive and lifesaving medical care justly is their primary expense. As grateful as I am to have acquired these funds, they barely put a dent in the $18,930 I still have to pay. What makes me uneasy is that I might not be able to get enough money in time. I may lose what I have already paid and the voucher.

Should I get this amazing opportunity, I hope to become an ambassador for other students who wish to study in francophone countries, and a tutor, helping students applying for scholarships and grants, and those studying French and Business. I am a member of Business, French, and Academic honors societies, as well as the treasurer of the French Club at VCU, so I am qualified, and have a serious interest in these positions. I am currently student-teaching and tutoring ESL at Institute Nationale Polytechnique- Houphey Boigney in Francophone West Africa. Ten years from now, I foresee a career as an economic advisor or analyst in an international organization. In this role I plan to help make more responsible, informed, and impactful fiscal decisions. I also hope to teach university level classes in International Economics. However, I believe sharing knowledge is the keystone of a great society. In fact, my friends will often teasingly call me ‘Teacher Tyler’ because tend to get really excited about topics I am passionate about, and will end up lecturing unwittingly.

Everyone needs help getting where they want to go; No man is an island. Some are too proud to ask for help, some are too eager. I, myself, have been both on occasion. However I am now asking with much humility to be awarded this opportunity to continue my studies abroad, with the intent of helping people in it. Thank you for your time.