Collegian Funding For Cultural and Language Study

Thank you for taking the time to hear about my journey thus far! 

My name is John E. Mitchell II and I am a junior in the Honors College at the University of Missouri, double-majoring in International Studies and Political Science with a minor in Arabic and a Multicultural Certificate. I am writing in hopes that I may request your financial support for my final months in Amman, Jordan for my Study Abroad Experience. 

Your continued support has been such an inspiration! I have had the AMAZING opportunity to live with a Host Family who doesn't speak English very well, which compels me to improve my Arabic to get my point across, travel throughout Jordan and look at the beautiful History it has (such as Petra, the Baptisim site of Jesus, Umm Qais, Wadi Rum etc), and literally thrown me in immersion with the language and the culture.

 Throughout my collegiate career, I have excelled in academics and leadership, making important contributions to a variety of international organizations such as Global Communications, a recognized MU news organization which I founded to lend a voice to the international community at Mizzou and provide students, faculty and alumni a global perspective; and the Missouri International Student Council, MU’s international student umbrella organization on whose Executive Board I currently serve. I also have professional experience with the Office of the Vice Provost for International Programs at MU, working closely with MU’s Confucius Institute and MU’s international communications team. 

My own African-American heritage has led me to value cultural diversity and caused me to step out of my comfort zone to learn new perspectives.  While studying in Jordan for the entire 2013 spring semester, I have already begun to gain immeasurable linguistic skills, economic acumen, and cultural experiences.  The exceptional international experiences I have had as a student, reporter and volunteer at MU, the desire to understand the people and culture of a country with a history of strong economic development and my campus experience will be an asset as MU embarks on further developing this program for future students. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my statement and I hope you consider contributing to this experience.