Collegiate Ambassadors Program

The Collegiate Ambassadors Program (CAP) is a unique program where MU students will act as mentors, tutors, tour guides, and friends to visiting students participating in the English and Professional Immersion Program (EPI), and the International Leadership, Excellence, and Professionalism (I-LEAP) Program. CAP is an integral and highly-valued component of the EPI and I-LEAP programs.

EPI is an intensive six-week program for upper class university students from Pacific Rim countries with English skills, high academic standing and a desire to experience American life and culture. Through the program, participants are engaged in intensive English study and are given the opportunity to experience American life, culture, and business through field trips and internships. More information about the EPI program can be found at the EPI Web site.

The International Leadership, Excellence, and Professionalism (I-LEAP) Program is an intensive 16-week professional training program. It is designed for students and professionals who want to gain international work experience, hone their English skills, and immerse themselves in American culture. More information can be found at the I-LEAP Web site.

You may participate in CAP either as a volunteer OR enroll in the 3-credit-hour Honors 3028: Civic Leaders Internship academic course. You do not have to be an honors student to enroll in the course. Credit-earning participants have specific course requirements (see below for details).

What do Ambassadors do?
Ambassadors will facilitate and coordinate planned activities and field trips (both local and out-of-town) arranged by the Asian Affairs Center. In addition to planned group activities, Ambassadors are also encouraged to organize informal gatherings (talk and hang-out!) that will allow visiting students to experience American college life (e.g. go a band performance at the Blue Note or spend an evening at the Cherry Street Artisan). Ambassadors will be the visiting students' go-to-persons when they have questions about American life, culture and everyday spoken English. Finally, Ambassadors will also give advice to students about how to complete a professional final project at the end of the program.

In addition to the aforementioned, credit-earning Ambassadors are expected to fulfill the following requirements:

• Devote at least 10 hours per week to EPI/CAP activities, both scheduled and unscheduled
• Attend at least one scheduled major field trip
• Attend orientation and all organizational meetings
• Submit weekly journals about your experiences as an Ambassador

Who can be an Ambassador?
Ambassadors must be open-minded, energetic, helpful, patient, and good humored. As Ambassadors are expected to lead and coordinate some activities, they should be mature, responsible, resourceful and most importantly, show initiative and take their tasks seriously.

Visiting students will be engaged in intensive English study as part of the EPI program and hence, they will have many questions about everyday spoken English for Ambassadors. Although Ambassadors will not be involved in formal ESL instruction, fluency in English and exceptional communication skills are essential.

Why be an Ambassador?
The Collegiate Ambassadors Program is a great opportunity to gain experience in cross-cultural communication, learn about Asian culture and build international connections. CAP is not only a wonderful resume builder but you are also performing a service to the MU campus.

Upcoming Opportunities
Going to be in town during the winter intersession? Become a Collegiate Ambassador to a group of approximately 20 Korean students who will be participating in the EPI program. Dates to be determined.

Plan ahead. The next opportunity to participate in the CAP will be during summer intersession 2008. More information will be available later.

How do I apply?
Please complete the online application. After you submit your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview appointment with the EPI Program Coordinator.
Online application

Contact
Ms. Lesley Sapp
University of Missouri-Columbia Asian Affairs Center
N49 Memorial Union
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-9430
Fax: (573) 884-2709
Email: SappLJ@missouri.edu