Jacob M. Anderson
2005-06 Ambassadorial Scholar
Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Vadnais Heights
Assigned Study Institution:  Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

JMANDERSON@stthomas.edu

My name is Jacob Anderson and I am the 2005 -2006 Ambassadorial Scholar.  I was born in Buffalo, MN 1981 to a wonderful mother Margaret Anderson.  She raised my two brothers and me by herself and without her strength and support I can truly say that I would not be where I am today.  I have two older brothers Matthew and Chris; Matthew is a computer technician, and Chris is about to graduate from the U of M law school this spring.  My mother has remarried to a wonderful man, Ralph, who has become the father I never had and has supported me and called me his own.

I am a Mahtomedi High School graduate from the class of '99, and it was only because of absolutely incredible teachers, and the grace of God, that I managed to graduate from high school.  It was through some heavy soul searching that I realized what I wanted from life, and what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:11 I took to heart, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."  I took a year off after high school and in that time I developed a dedication to my future and I chose education as my way to better myself. 

Since I have started college I have obtained my A.A. from Century College, I have studied abroad in Montpellier, France, and in the spring I will graduate from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor in international studies with an economics focus.

Currently, I am a Paraprofessional for the Mahtomedi High School at the Alternative Learning Program.  I help students with math, but my main reason for taking this job is to share with students my experience and to show them that it is never too late to change your life.  I am also a licensed Insurance Producer, working as an independent agent for KAM Insurance in St. Paul.  In addition I am a certified Security Guard, not a glamorous job, but it has taught me a lot about people and how to handle delicate situations.

Next semester, in addition to applying for graduate school in Hong Kong, I will be going to St. Louis as part of the St. Thomas model U.N.  I plan to start the application process for graduate school here in the U.S. for when I am finished in Hong Kong, I hope to come back and study conflict resolution or something in the area of poverty reduction.

Now what will all of this accomplish?  I aspire to work for the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, and while working for the government I want to continue working on developmental issues facing less developed nations in an attempt to end poverty, hence I'll always have work to do! 

 
I am dedicated to making the most of my life and exploiting every opportunity in life.  I will be forever grateful to the Rotary as a whole and each Rotarian for their unbelievable giving nature. I never knew that such a selfless organization existed and I feel truly honored to be part of your community.  I have never felt so welcomed among strangers as I have at every Rotary event I have attended so far.  I am proud to be part of the Rotary and I look forward to working with the Rotary in our common goal of a better tomorrow.  Thank You!