French and Music Personal Statement
Since my first French lesson at school, I’ve been hooked. It’s a subject that comes naturally to me leaving me with a hunger to learn more. Being bilingual, and my first language being welsh, I understand how important it is to speak a country’s language. I feel you are treated differently if you make the effort to learn the language of the country you’re visiting. In my personal experience, when I have attempted to communicate with people in France when visiting the country, I’ve been treated with much more respect and patience than if I were to simply talk in my own language and expect to be understood (which I think is an ignorant attitude). That’s why it is crucial for me to further my language skills, as I’m a huge fan of travelling. I was a part of an exchange group at school, my pen pal spent a week in Wales and I spent a week at their home in France. I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to be emerged into their family life, exposed to the language constantly. I write to my pen pal often and hope to visit again soon.
My passion is music. Ever since I can remember I have loved to sing and have performed from a very young age. I’ve been a part of countless productions, both in school and as a part of ‘Opera Teifi’. Also I’ve competed in the Eisteddfod ever since I can remember, with both solo and group performances. In primary school, I was chosen to be a part of a choir to sing in the opening of the Millennium Stadium and had the opportunity to sing alongside Bryn Terfel and Shirley Bassey, which was a great honour. One day I aspire to be a performer, as I’ve always loved being on stage.
Unfortunately I was unable to study music for A-level, as it clashed with French. I decided to study French as I study music privately, both piano and singing lessons. I’m very disappointed that I couldn’t take music as an A-level, as I feel it was one of my strongest subjects. I believe I could have got an A, instead I chose Spanish and I’m devastated with my grade. I decided to take a year out to concentrate on getting my music qualifications so that I can study music at university, which has always been my dream. I’m currently studying to take my grade 8 piano practical exam, grade 5 theory and grade 6 singing exam.
On a general note, I am very hard working and strive to be the best I can possibly be. I am extremely passionate about the subjects I wish to study and am determined to do well.
I was the chairman of the charity committee at school, and organized a series of events to raise money for charity. I found it was a great experience to not only help others and to make good use of my time, I was able to further my skills in a variety of areas including: leading a group, organizing and conducting meetings and group discussions and working as a team.
In the summer of 2007, I travelled to Romania for 2 weeks as a part of ‘Pembrokeshire young volunteers’ to help build a primary school. In order to do this I raised £500 to contribute to building materials. We travelled there by coach; this gave us the opportunity to get a taste of each country we passed through, which was very exciting and fuelled my desire to travel. It was an eye opener to see the different quality of life in the area that we were working in and I felt proud to be a part of this wonderful project.
Universities Applied to:
- Sheffield (French and Music)
- Cardiff (French and Music)
- Bristol (French and Music)
- Bristol (French)
- Royal Holloway (French and Music)