European Studies Personal Statement 2
I have studied a number of languages and thoroughly enjoyed the challenges they have presented to me, but none have interested me as much as French has. To study French at university would allow me to gain further knowledge on Francophone culture, literature and history. My interest in French extends well beyond the A Level syllabus and coupled with my love of literature, I have enjoyed reading the work of many prominent French authors, including the existentialist approaches of Camus and Sartre, Beauvoir’s feminist writings, notably in “Le Deuxieme Sexe” and Proust’s notion of involuntary memory, particularly in “Swann’s Way”. These have challenged and influenced my philosophical beliefs, adding to my aspiration to continue at degree level. The subjects concerned are provocative, and I have found myself debating various topics; especially those covered in Sartre’s “L’Age De Raison”. I also enjoy French cinema, the films “La Haine” and “Le Dernier Metro” being favourites of mine with the social and political issues they cover.
I regularly read The Times and The Guardian in order to stay up to date with current affairs and to gain different perspectives on issues. I also read “Le Monde”, to extend my vocabulary and learn about events that are not covered in the British press, in addition to being a subscriber to Authentik, useful for learning about cultural issues in France. Studying Government and Politics at A Level has increased my awareness of the relevance it has to modern society, and its pronounced links to other academic disciplines, including history and philosophy. My desire to study politics at a higher level arose from realising how it influences many aspects of my life and the importance of being an informed voter. I have a strong interest in local, national and international politics. I recently had the opportunity to question my local MP, using this effectively to voice my concerns and queries. I have visited the Houses of Parliament twice recently, being lucky enough to view a debate in the House of Commons, and later to lead a group discussing the voting age with success, allowing me to develop my public speaking skills. The role of the EU is an issue which interests me greatly and I am currently completing the Extended Project Qualification on whether France had a strong influence upon the Lisbon Treaty, allowing me to draw upon French research. I followed the French and American presidential elections enthusiastically, and in February I will spend a week in Washington D.C. and New York. Visiting locations such as the White House and the United Nations headquarters will allow me to gain a deeper insight into US politics.
I also study English Literature, a subject which I hugely enjoy and my studies have assisted my other subjects- for my A2 coursework I am completing a Marxist reading of a novel, and it has furthered my interest in reading both English and foreign literature. Studying Spanish has also helped me gain skills in another language to a high level. Outside of my studies, I enjoy participating in my local and sixth form community. I act as a mentor to students in my previous and current school, and have taken speaking roles in my school plays “West Side Story” and “Much Ado About Nothing”. I volunteer at my local Rainbow Guides, helping to organise and assist with activities, as well as undertaking my work experience in an infant school, where I taught some French and Spanish. In my free time, I pursue creative writing, and am currently taking an OU course in writing fiction to further my skills in this area, I am currently teaching myself Dutch, to learn a language I have been interested in for a period of time.
Studying French to a higher level will be a challenging but highly rewarding prospect, and even more so with politics and its related disciplines, as I hope to earn a degree that I will have deeply enjoyed, and that will allow me to fulfil my aim in gaining a position in the European Union.
Universities Applied to:
- University College, London (European Social and Political Studies)
- Kings College, London (European Studies (French pathway))
- Bristol University (French and Politics) - Offer
- University of Southampton (Contemporary Europe)
