UCA alumnus Jacob Perry has been awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar scholarship to Morocco by Rotary International.
Jacob will be studying Arabic at the University Mohamed V in Rabat, Morocco. He is one of more than 500 students from 29 countries who will be studying abroad for the 2010-2011 academic year as Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars.
“I am honored to receive this scholarship from Rotary International and to join the extensive community of present and past ambassadorial scholars,” Jacob said. “I am excited about what I will learn from my experience in Morocco, but I also look forward to representing Arkansas, the U.S.A., and Rotary International while abroad. During my year in Morocco, I hope to contribute to Rotary’s mission of bridging continents and building communities.”
Jacob, 23, grew up in Fayetteville. He graduated in December 2009 with degrees in Biology and Spanish. His global perspectives have been shaped and fostered in part by Spanish, French, and his involvement in an orphanage in Honduras, as well as his travels through India, Nepal, Tibet, and studying abroad in Costa Rica and Spain.
At UCA, Jacob developed an interest in Latin Culture and the Spanish language. He later used his Spanish while at an orphanage in Honduras, playing with the children, organizing activities, reading to them, giving English lessons, and teaching hygiene. His humanitarian interests have broadened since his first trip to Honduras, and he began studying French in order to do similar humanitarian work in French-speaking African nations. He is now studying Arabic in Morocco to do future work in development and/or education in the Middle East.
The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is one of the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship programs. Focused on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy, and academic excellence, the program has sponsored more than 40,000 scholars since 1947.
Designed to bridge cultures and encourage goodwill, the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is one of Rotary’s leading efforts to promote world peace and understanding.
Ambassadorial Scholarships provide undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study at participating universities in the 200 countries and geographical areas where Rotary clubs are active. While abroad, scholars participate in community service projects and speak at local Rotary club meetings and conferences, schools, civic organizations, and other forums where they serve as “goodwill ambassadors” for their home countries.