Michael Ikossi holds a bachelor of arts in languages and culture from Loyola University in New Orleans. During his time at Loyola University, Michael Ikossi studied a semester abroad in Grenoble, France, a cultural treasure of the country. Here are four attractions that should not be missed when visiting this area. 1. Fort de la Bastille. Offering the best panoramic alpine view in Grenoble, this fort sits on a hilltop and was once a prison. Today, it houses multiple museums, an outdoor patio, and scenic walking trails. 2. Musée de Grenoble. With 18,000 square meters of fine art to view, this museum is one of the most respected in all of France. The art within ranges from the 15th to the 20th centuries, and the park surrounding the building is filled with a variety of sculptures. 3. Vercors Massif. For those interested in hiking, this mountain range to the west of the city offers easy trails with picturesque views, with surrounding meadows featuring dairy farms busy with cheese making. 4. The Vieille Ville. The city’s old town, this area of the city is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, squares filled with shopping, and historic houses. Visitors often enjoy the busy farmers' markets held on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.
An experienced musician as well as a former customer service professional, Michael Ikossi also stands out as an accomplished athlete. In 2003, Michael Ikossi earned a black belt in taekwondo.The Korean martial art of tae kwon do, or taekwondo, has been in the world for more than 2,000 years. One of the earliest signs of its existence is a mural that was painted on a tomb in the kingdom of Koguryo between 37 BCE and 66 CE. There are continuing records of the practice throughout the Korean kingdoms and it has remained a vital part of Korean culture, even through it has spread as an international martial art and sport in the 20th century.The name of the art translates loosely to mean "the discipline of fists and feet." It involves precise techniques and particular foot movements, yet these must always be in synchrony with a disciplined mind. Tae kwon do requires that its participants seek harmony between the physical body and the mind, and that this harmony extend outward to the world at large.This emphasis on harmony has also led to a focus on peace within the art. Tae kwon do holds that one of the primary goals of physical discipline is to control aggression, both within and outside of the self, and to use this ability to build a more peaceful and safe community. To achieve this end, Tae kwon do seeks to resolve confrontation in a way that promotes harmony and builds long-term unity among people.
Loyola University graduate Michael Ikossi earned a bachelor of arts from the school’s College of Humanities and Natural Sciences. During his time at the university, Michael Ikossi was active with a number of campus and national groups, including Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society. In its efforts to encourage the study of the French language, Pi Delta Phi offers scholarships that enable students to study abroad and immerse themselves in the culture of French-speaking countries. To qualify for a scholarship, students must be a member of a Pi Delta Phi chapter and enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program. Preference is given to students with financial need and no history of studying or living in a francophone country. Currently, Pi Delta Phi oversees scholarship programs in honor of Dr. Joseph W. Yedlicka and Dr. Mary E. Gutermuth. The two Yedlicka awards cover tuition and housing as well as some travel costs for full summer sessions in Paris and Aix-en-Provence. The Gutermuth award provides funds for full tuition and housing for a five-week session at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi. In its spring 2017 newsletter, Pi Delta Phi profiled the latest scholarship winners and announced the new President’s Graduate Scholarship. Launching in the fall of 2017, the President’s Graduate Scholarship will provide an annual award of $1,000 to help graduate students study or conduct research in a French-speaking country. For more information, visit www.pideltaphi.org.
A graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans, Michael Ikossi holds a bachelor’s degree in languages and culture with a concentration in French. Throughout his time at college, Michael Ikossi maintained an academic merit scholarship, and he earned membership into several honor societies, including Pi Delta Phi.A national French honor society, Pi Delta Phi welcomes undergraduate and graduate students from accredited universities and colleges. As part of the organization’s efforts to support its members and promote learning of the French language, Pi Delta Phi provides several scholarships for studying abroad during summers. These annual awards are designed for undergraduate members, and all recipients must take courses conducted in French during their abroad program.In order to be eligible for an award from Pi Delta Phi, applicants must be regular members of an active chapter. They must not have received a scholarship from Pi Delta Phi in the past, and they should be full-time undergraduates who are enrolled in a field of study. Although it is not required, the organization prefers students who have not studied or lived in a country that speaks French. Preference is also given to those who demonstrate a lack of opportunity or a financial need.Students applying should send in a completed scholarship application and a letter in English or French briefly stating their qualifications. Three letters of nomination are also required, along with an official transcript.
A graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans, Michael Ikossi holds a bachelor of arts in languages and culture with a concentration in French. As a student, Michael Ikossi excelled in French and earned membership in Pi Delta Phi, the national honor society that recognizes excellence in the study of French.Pi Delta Phi offers study abroad scholarships for summer sessions lasting from five to seven weeks. These scholarships include the Joseph W. Yedlicka Awards, named after a former president and executive director of the society. Provided by Pi Delta Phi and the American University of Paris, the first award covers full tuition for a seven-week summer session, as well as housing, half-board, and some living expenses.The second Joseph W. Yedlicka Award covers full tuition as well as room and board for a six-week summer session at the Institute for American Universities College in Aix-en-Provence. Recipients of both awards receive a $1,000 travel grant to cover a round-trip ticket to the host site.
