International Relations Personal Statement 2
Three years ago I traveled with my University to the second poorest county in America to teach Native American high school students. On this trip I learned about poverty but also how education can provide the training students need to succeed on their own. Two years ago, I studied in London and experienced a new world through international relations classes, being the only American in a group of mainly non-Europeans, and traveling to Western and Eastern Europe. These and other experiences have confirmed my desire to work for an international Non-Governmental Organization promoting literacy, conflict resolution, and humanitarianism. In order to achieve this goal, I am applying to attend the London School of Economics for a master’s degree in International Relations.
As a University student, I have pursued training in education, history, and international relations in America and abroad, with Americans and international students. I will be certified to teach at the end of January and education will always be part of my professional passion because of the change I have seen it make in people’s lives. For example, education has changed my way of thinking. When I began studying in London I always planned on teaching in America, but now I has goals of teaching abroad and working in non-traditional classrooms.
After teaching on the Indian Reservation and studying abroad, I sought other teaching and international experiences that include teaching at a private Korean School in my community, tutoring international and American students, and teaching at the secondary level in the greater Milwaukee, WI area. As a student mentor, I worked with international University students to help them improve their English, adjust to change, and succeed academically and socially in an American university. My training in education has helped me develop and understand the practice and importance of learning in history and international relations. While in London, I studied Latin America during the Cold War and wrote my undergraduate thesis on the coup in Guatemala in 1954. With this knowledge and a subsequent course on genocide and global justice, my attention changed to humanitarian crises where I believe literacy programs empower people, even in times of crisis, to seek constructive change in their communities and cultures.
My diverse, liberal arts education provided me with practical education training, theoretical training from international relations, and understanding through historical context. I have developed skills in both fields so I can teach classes or individuals and research and analyze information. Throughout my undergraduate career I worked at least 2 jobs, remained in the tops 10% of my class, and volunteered as a mentor and tutor. In short, I understand how I function in multiple classroom settings, have learned to motivate myself and others, and value both hard work and service to others. This proven commitment to personal achievement and to my community will help me succeed at LSE in the future.
At my teaching internship, my cooperating teacher constantly reminds the students to ask two questions as they study the world: “What’s in it for me? And what about the human?” My own answers to these questions are intertwined: my own educational and professional goals require a solid education in order to demonstrate the compassion and commitment that I have for “the human.” I have worked hard in the past and will continue to while I meet new people, create memorable experiences, and remember the human.
