"Paris is always a good idea." Help fund my Study Abroad!

Olivia Mikus Start Date: Mar 29, 2017 - End Date: Jul 28, 2017
  • Paris, France
  • Lyon, France

My Travel Story

by: Olivia Mikus Start Date: Mar 29, 2017 - End Date: Jul 28, 2017
"Paris is always a good idea." -Audrey Hepburn
"America is my country, and Paris is my home." -Gertrude Stein
"To know Paris is to know a great deal." -Henry Miller

I can still remember the day, many years ago when I was very young, that I had decided to choose French as my second language when the time finally came. I was in the family van with my mom and I remember asking her what language she had decided to take when she was in high school. She abruptly replied, “French, and it was awful.” When I asked her why, she colorfully explained that it was much too difficult for her and that she had been consistently placed with terrible teachers, from whom she couldn't learn “a damn thing.” I decided then and there that I would learn French, to be able to show my mom that I can do it—that I can do something she couldn’t.
Fast forward a few years and here I am now, a senior at University of Missouri-Columbia, and nine years into my French studies. Here at MU, I have been continually blessed with extraordinary professors that have further encouraged me to push my French minor to a major and have inspired me to pursue a career in French education. I have excelled here at MU, with an overall GPA of 3.54 and the honor of being placed on the Dean’s List of Arts and Sciences for the Fall 2015, Spring 2016, and Fall 2016 semesters. I am also a founding and active member of MU’s first French academic fraternity, Pi Delta Phi-The National French Honor’s Society.
What I have yet to achieve within my French studies is the opportunity to continue my learning in France—to fully immerse myself in French language and culture and gain that unique perspective and experience. I feel that as a prospective French instructor, the study abroad experience is imperative to my future as an educator, in order that I may give my students the same inspirational and passionate learning experience that I have been so blessed to receive throughout my French education. With your assistance, I feel that I can set myself up to become a truly exceptional French educator so that I may pass on my deep adoration for the language and the beautiful French culture. I hope to be that spark of inspiration for my future students and I feel that this study abroad opportunity is invaluable to my future success as a French instructor.
Through good grades, hard work, and many a sleepless night, I've been able to receive over 70% of the fund I need for the program thanks to scholarships. It's the last 30% that I still have yet to cover. Thank you all very much for your time and consideration. Of course, thank you in advance to those who make a contribution to my Study Abroad experience. Merci une mille fois!
  • Paris, France
  • Lyon, France

Updates

4

  • Scratch That...34 Percent!

    Scratch that...34 percent!
    This just in--Since my last update, I've spoken with my financial aid advisor to see how not receiving this scholarship has affected my study abroad costs. It turns out that I need significantly less than I thought I did-- to the tune of $1500 more instead of $4000 more. That's great! I was able to get a small summer grant from MU which has helped me go ahead and pay for my plane ticket out of pocket. What's left is personal expenses. I'd hate to find myself overseas, completely broke. Leave it to me to be that girl! So I am, once again, appealing to the good nature of my friends and family to help me make my study abroad dreams come true. Only 66% still needed thanks to your generosity! Merci beaucoup!!

  • When Life Give You Lemons...

    When life give you lemons...
    Yes, I know it's been a while without an update and I want to thank those who have shared my story when I've failed to. I was hoping to be able to update everyone with exciting news about the scholarship I was waiting on that would take care of the majority of what I need still. Unfortunately, the update I have to share is that, though it was a need-based scholarship, I was not accepted to receive anything. So I am left to appeal to the good nature of my kind-hearted friends and family. I want to thank those again who have helped fund my travel thus far. Thank you so much for your generosity. With your help, I've received 13% of what I still need to make study abroad a possibility for me. Everything helps, and I am so grateful. Merci une mille fois.

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