Reasons why IWES should sponsor my trip to Beijing, China this summer.

I will be seeing the woman in charge of my entire financial situation right now. I believe she holds the key to China. At Matthew's suggestion, I'm doing my homework: preparing what to say to the people who I need to talk to to get me to China. If it is poorly written it's just a draft, written just so I could semi-organize my thoughts. First I have to be convinced to be convincing. I am rather embarassed to publish them here because they may not be very solid reasons, but, constructive criticism will do me good. Anything to prove that I am determined to accomplish this. So bash away.

1) Major-related Exposure.

China is a perfect setting for my scope of interest in the field of study I am pursuing. I am a psychology major with a minor in TESOL (and music) and have great interest in the study of culture and language in human behavior. I have particular interest in working with youth and children in my future and hope to be able to do something of relevance to my interest while in China. Psychology covers a wide scope of job opportunities because it is centered on people. People are my passion, that’s why I’m a psychology major. Doing this internship during the summer will allow me the work experience and the exposure to people (and not just any people, people of my own culture) that I need to help enhance the education that I receive from my classes. An internship in China will also be very complimentary to my minor in TESOL, as it is essential for me to understand the practice of English as a second language.

2) Influence for good internationally.

Of all the countries in the world, China is considered the hub of many world issues such as the rights of women and children (uh, what else?), and is in much need of leaders from the Church. This will be an opportunity for me to observe the needs of the people. Such knowledge will help me better understand what I need to prepare academically so I can do good in that country in the future. It will help in aligning my education to the “real world”.

3) Returnability.

As a 5th (it depends on how you count it) generation migrant from China, living there (part of my home area) will be a huge step in cultivating an overall understanding of my culture and a deeper appreciation for my roots. Such an exposure will bind me closer to my country and my people – who I plan to serve with the knowledge that I have gained at BYU-Hawaii. Such cultural education highly promotes returnability, which I believe, is in alignment with the mission of the IWES program.

4) Language.

Near-complete immersion in the Chinese language for 2 months will help me sharpen my Chinese speaking skills immensely. Proficiency in the Chinese language will be much needed in my future career in the workforce in Malaysia where many businesses are opening branches in China.

5) Business ties.

I foresee that China will be a large part of my future. Starting now will help me get a head-start in my career and may serve as a good opportunity to scope out future job-prospects, and making contacts that will make job placement easy when I graduate.

6) New Experience.

Currently, I work at the PCC as a tour guide. It has been an enriching experience for me, as I have met many people and have picked up great social and leadership skills and have also gained a good deal of knowledge and a deep appreciation for Polynesian culture. However, there is much more for me to learn and going to China will further my global education and will make me much more of a citizen of the world. I have learned to communicate and lead effectively in one culture (American) and living in China will help me communicate and develop leadership skills unique to Asian culture. While BYUH aims to help expose us to many cultures of the world within this campus, actually living in those cultures will provide me a much more intense cultural experience.

7) Timing.

I understand that the PCC requires me to work there during the summer months. I am not trying to escape such a responsibility. In fact, I quite regret not being able to be here at that time because I enjoy working full time at the PCC during the summer (I genuinely enjoy my job, ask Lofi!) However, I feel that summer is the best time for this internship because it will not delay my education and will allow me to graduate on schedule. I started on the IWES during the Spring and worked one summer before the school year. I have made a MAP and will graduate in the Spring of 07. If necessary (or possible), I am willing to stay to work for that Summer before returning to my home country, or (if all goes well financially) attending graduate school.

8) Religious influence.

While teaching the gospel is not really an option in China, I feel that this move from a LDS-majority community like Laie to where the church barely exists in China will be not only a wonderful opportunity for me to be “a light on the top of the hill” and truly live my religion (like I loved doing while in Malaysia) but also for the people of China to make positive associations with the LDS church. The mission statement of the University does mention developing friends for the University and the Church. This will be a great opportunity for me to be one such friend.

9) Ambassador of BYUH and the PCC.

This will be a great opportunity for me to spread the good word of my experiences here in Laie around the world. I know that the university and the center are making efforts in creating good diplomatic ties with China. While what I am doing is small, I am confident that I will have a positive influence on their impression of the Church, the University and the PCC.

I feel that allowing me the opportunity to pursue my dream to complete an internship in Beijing will cultivate great leadership skills in me. I need your assistance to fulfill my ambition. I believe that it is not contrary to the mission of IWES in assisting students achieve their goals in academia as well as in the work force.

I also believe that the University encourages its students to be ambitious and driven to achieve goals. This is my dream, and my goal: of personal improvement, coupled with service. I am hopeful that this will be one of the most enriching, life-changing experiences in my life and will have a large influence in determining its course. I need your assistance (and permission) to attain this goal of mine. I am certain that the University would be excited to be a part of helping me become an ambassador of much good not only in the 2 months of this internship in China, but in the future as well.

I hope that you can see that my “mission” to China is aligned with the mission statement of the school, to:

“assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life and in their efforts to influence the establishment of peace internationally…by preparing men and women with the intercultural and leadership skills necessary to promote world peace and international brotherhood, to address world problems, and to be a righteous influence in families, professions, civic responsibilities, social affiliations, and the Church.”

*Deep breath* Wish me luck.