International Relations Personal Statement 4
The internet has made international politics much more accessible to a wider audience. I for one, through a myriad of internet mediums such as blogging, visiting forums as well as reading magazines such as "The Economist" and "Prospect" have expanded the scope of my knowledge especially in the field of international political issues. The irony is that many people are not at all interested in this cacophony of political information.
My interest in international politics has also stemmed from my ethnic background. I was born in Ghana and issues such as corruption and poverty are very apparent. The dishonest nature of many politicians make it difficult for democracy to be attained; common cases include police officers getting bribes from criminals and politicians obtaining money for their personal gain. A current issue that comes to mind is the local military threats coming out of the opposition party (National Democratic Congress) in the upcoming Presidential elections in Ghana, as a result of the recent oil discovery which is expected to generate a lot of revenue. It's unfortunate that the issue of 'sleaze' is a unique feature in global politics.
My interest in politics is apparent in my A level courses. Although the study of Sociology and Politics seem fairly different, a close examination of both subjects provides interesting analysis. Most politicians for instance try to paint a picture of a 'unified' society however in Sociology; Marxists would argue that as long as ethnicity, religion and social class are a factor in the modern world, conflicts are inevitable. Studying sociology has broadened my knowledge on international affairs as it deals with social relations, which in a broad perspective can be viewed as the relations between the western society and the eastern society and also the relationships between international allies. Moreover, I am now aware and can identify the effects these relationships have, not only in Society as a whole but on individuals. Studying sociology made me realise that political issues operates within the nature of society because the political systems can be used in the interest of the powerful, but on the contrary can also be effective in protecting the powerless.
Studying English Literature has been beneficial because it has taught me how to express my ideas, which is particularly important when debating on political issues. English has been a fascinating topic because it enables the reader to question the motives of a character, and in poetry the reader questions the real theme the poet is trying to depict, through their often obscure style of writing.
It's true when they say that change starts from the 'bottom-up' and not the 'top down' as claimed by US presidential nominee Barack Obama. As a volunteer for the British Red Cross, I have seen the impact a small group of committed citizens can have in eradicating issues that affect us domestically as well as internationally, for example, knife crime in the urban neighbourhoods in London and the detrimental effects the war in Sierra Leone has had. In 2006, I took part in an event with a team called TRUCE (To Reach Urban Communities Everywhere). Our aim was to go into the urban communities in London to talk about the impact of carrying weapons. I have enhanced my leadership skills during my role as a student ambassador and a member of the student council. My communication skills were further enhanced during my Duke of Edinburgh silver award excursion, where I was involved in many group activities.
I believe I have the study skills, determination and enthusiasm to be a successful undergraduate at your institution.
