UPDATED
2/27/08
The following information is for students who are interested in
applying to be an Ambassador for the 2009-10 academic year.
The official
application form is no longer available.
The deadline for applications for
2008-9 was
Thursday, February
7 2008.
Click here for the Ambassador
Position Description
What is The Ambassadors Program?
- The Ambassadors Program is designed to increase international
and intercultural awareness and understanding, by presenting personal
snapshots of contemporary nations and cultures, free of charge
to our community.
- The program shares this information with the College of Wooster
and beyond through an extensive outreach program.
Who can be an Ambassador?
- The Program is open to all international students
who will be in Wooster for the following academic year. NOTE: Global
nomads and first generation US-Americans may apply to be Ambassadors
and will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Whether you are an international student / global nomad / first
generation US-American you must be enrolled at the College of Wooster
and be in good academic and social standing.
This means you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average
of 2.5 and be in good standing under the College's Codes of Academic
Integrity and Social Responsibility as outlined in the Scot's
Key.
- Up to 5 people will be named as
Ambassador each year.
- We aim for a geographical dispersion of countries: this means
that a qualified person possibly may not be accepted as an Ambassador
as their geographical region may already be represented.
What does an Ambassador do?
1. Research:
- Over the summer break the Ambassadors will research and gather
information about many subjects relevant
to their home country - whether political, social, religious or
cultural. We want you to KNOW what you are talking about!
- Ambassadors are expected to research for around 200 hours over the summer.
(That's not so scary when you break it down by week - it's 20 hours per week
for 10 weeks, or 4 hours a day, with weekends off!) The exact break down of the
work is up to you. You are expected to check in with the Program Coordinator
periodically over the summer to let me know how you are progressing, and if any
topics have evolved from your original concept. (They will!)
-
Bottom line when
doing research - YOU will be standing in front of a group, speaking
- so do enough research so you feel confident that you know what
you're talking about and can answer most questions. But remember,
it is OK to tell someone you don't know the answer to their question. (That's
much better than making something up!)
- Some research topics will be set by the Program Coordinator,
some will be requested by local schools and organizations. The
majority are determined by the Ambassadors.
- Ambassadors are given a fellowship to cover the time over the
summer that they spend researching and collecting. This money
will be yours to keep unless you fail to return to the College
of Wooster, when this money must be returned in full to the Ambassadors
Program.
This fellowship funding is separate from the "cultural
object" budget
outlined above.
2. Cultural Objects:
- Ambassadors are given funds to purchase cultural objects to
illustrate their research and their home cultures. (Anything purchased
for the Program using this funding becomes the property of the
Ambassadors Program; any unspent money must be returned to the
Program).
- The information and cultural objects gathered will be made public
through an outreach program and a web site. Items purchased by previous
Ambassadors are on display throughout campus, are loaned out to
area classrooms and community groups, and can be viewed on our database.
The Outreach Program.
- Ambassadors speak on the COW campus, in Wooster and throughout
Wayne County. Occasionally, we visit Holmes county too.
- They speak to classes of their peers, local schools and
businesses and community groups such as nursing homes, churches,
and service clubs etc.
- All of our presentations are FREE of charge.
- Ambassadors average 1 presentation per week during each semester.
- We aim to make the presentations as interactive as possible -
to have people participate and touch the artifacts. Ambassadors
are encouraged to be creative when designing presentations.
- Ambassadors take part in events on campus and in the community,
such as International Education Week and the annual Wooster
Ethnic Fair.
- Ambassadors have been interviewed by the local newspapers and
TV stations.
- All community contacts are made by the Program Coordinator. You
do not have to find people interested in what you have to say,
although if you want to that's fine too!
- All presentations are confirmed with the Ambassadors ahead of
time and confirmations are sent to all involved. Ambassadors have
the right to refuse to make a presentation due to work load or
personal reasons, but once a presentation has been confirmed
the Ambassador has committed to being prepared, to arriving on
time etc etc.
So far we have not had to cancel a confirmed presentation other
than for illness.
Web Site.
- This is maintained by the Program Coordinator, with input from
the Ambassadors.
What is the application process?
- The application process is a 2-step process: firstly an essay,
with a brief résumé and references. Then applicants
will be invited to make a short presentation to the selection committee.
- The deadline for applications is 2/7/08. Ambassadors will be
selected by Spring Break 2008.
- The application
form is available online.
- If you will be studying off campus in February and would still
like to be considered you can apply online and we will set up a
telephone or Skype interview.
- Applications will be reviewed by the Ambassadors Program
Committee which consists of faculty and staff members and past
Ambassadors. The decision as to who will be hired is not
made solely by the Program Coordinator or the representatives from
the Office of International Student Affairs.
What do YOU gain from participating?
- This is great opportunity for you to help others learn about
your home country. It is an opportunity to 'set the record straight'
regarding misconceptions about your home and culture while telling
your personal story.
- You will learn leadership, team building and presentation skills.
- Past Ambassadors have gone on to other leadership positions on
campus.
- All participants have the opportunity to work with a variety
of people and groups.
- It looks great on your résumé !
Please note:
- We do NOT pay for plane tickets home over the summer, however
Ambassadors receive funding to cover the time spent researching
over the summer break. It is up to you how you spend it. You will
be reimbursed for artifacts etc when you return. You are required
to sign documentation that you will return this funding and any
advanced artifact funds if you are unable to return to the College
of Wooster for any reason. |
