Azurus
Can't get enough of FH
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2005
- Messages
- 1,263
Hi all i'm applying to do international relations and would appreciate some opinions on my personal statement, its abit long so will need to cut a paragraph just dont which one to give the axe. It's a rough draft so no doubt plenty of spelling + grammar errors.
From an early age, when I struggled to understand why some of my closest friends, political refugees from Bosnia were unable to return to their homeland, I have been fascinated by international relations. After attending a Summer school run by Durham university on the subject of politics, during which the discussions on the role of the UN as well as the legitimacy of the Iraq war particularly interested me, I came to the realization a degree in international relations would both greatly further my understanding in the subject as well as providing the ideal preparation for a career in journalism, preferably as a foreign correspondent.
In order to gain an understanding of the institutions and factors which govern international relations I have read ‘international law’ by Antonio Cassese which provided a good grounding in the field, as well as numerous articles on the origin and role of the UN. When coupled with my subscriptions to both the Economist as well as the Sage International relations journal I feel confident to critique analysis of world events as well as make my own.
I enjoy writing articles on global politics, so when an opportunity came to write a non fiction article for my English Language Coursework I chose to write a feature about possible solutions to Israel Palestine conflict, in which I advocated a two state solution as per agreed at the Taba negotiations. In addition to this I contribute regularly to various political forums and am currently writing an article on the recent conflict in South Ossetia and its implications for future US-Russian relations which I hope to submit to the ‘International affairs’ forum.
My studies in Politics for my A levels have granted me a good understanding of how the US political system operates, as well as a fascinating look at how a nation’s political ideology affects a nation’s outlook towards the rest of the world. Furthermore as an essay based subjects it has greatly improved my ability to synthesise and analyse information, a skill which will no doubt greatly benefit me later in life.
My studies in History allowed an in depth look at some of History’s most important events. Of the areas studied a module on the causes and effects of the Vietnam War was of particular interest to me. I read widely around the subject, combining sources such as ‘Howard Zimm on War’ and Michael Herr’s ‘Dispatches’, allowing me to approach the module in an unorthodox way compared to those who stuck to syllabus issued materials and leading to a high grade A in the final assessment.
I have developed a particular interest in the foreign policy adopted by the world’s sole super power, the USA, as its actions have such a far reaching impact on all the nations of the world. To this end I have read widely on the subject, particularly enjoying the works of Noam Chomsky, whose explanation of many of the USA’s actions as an attempt to ensure global hegemony have been particularly enlightening. The Iraq war has been another major area of interest for me. I read Oliver Kamm’s Anti-totalitarianism: left wing case for a neoconservative foreign policy however found much of his rhetoric neutered by Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or survival, leading in part to my ultimate view of the invasion as unjustified.
Music is another passion of mine, I play the flute and piano to grade 6 standard as well as self teaching guitar to a comparable level. Sport is also a large part of my life, I have fenced to an international standard culminating in a spot on the U17 Britain team and attended competions in Hungary and France. I have also represented my School first eleven team in football. In my spare time I volunteer at the local hospice as well as regularly contributing to Amnesty international, both in terms of donations and volunteer work.
From an early age, when I struggled to understand why some of my closest friends, political refugees from Bosnia were unable to return to their homeland, I have been fascinated by international relations. After attending a Summer school run by Durham university on the subject of politics, during which the discussions on the role of the UN as well as the legitimacy of the Iraq war particularly interested me, I came to the realization a degree in international relations would both greatly further my understanding in the subject as well as providing the ideal preparation for a career in journalism, preferably as a foreign correspondent.
In order to gain an understanding of the institutions and factors which govern international relations I have read ‘international law’ by Antonio Cassese which provided a good grounding in the field, as well as numerous articles on the origin and role of the UN. When coupled with my subscriptions to both the Economist as well as the Sage International relations journal I feel confident to critique analysis of world events as well as make my own.
I enjoy writing articles on global politics, so when an opportunity came to write a non fiction article for my English Language Coursework I chose to write a feature about possible solutions to Israel Palestine conflict, in which I advocated a two state solution as per agreed at the Taba negotiations. In addition to this I contribute regularly to various political forums and am currently writing an article on the recent conflict in South Ossetia and its implications for future US-Russian relations which I hope to submit to the ‘International affairs’ forum.
My studies in Politics for my A levels have granted me a good understanding of how the US political system operates, as well as a fascinating look at how a nation’s political ideology affects a nation’s outlook towards the rest of the world. Furthermore as an essay based subjects it has greatly improved my ability to synthesise and analyse information, a skill which will no doubt greatly benefit me later in life.
My studies in History allowed an in depth look at some of History’s most important events. Of the areas studied a module on the causes and effects of the Vietnam War was of particular interest to me. I read widely around the subject, combining sources such as ‘Howard Zimm on War’ and Michael Herr’s ‘Dispatches’, allowing me to approach the module in an unorthodox way compared to those who stuck to syllabus issued materials and leading to a high grade A in the final assessment.
I have developed a particular interest in the foreign policy adopted by the world’s sole super power, the USA, as its actions have such a far reaching impact on all the nations of the world. To this end I have read widely on the subject, particularly enjoying the works of Noam Chomsky, whose explanation of many of the USA’s actions as an attempt to ensure global hegemony have been particularly enlightening. The Iraq war has been another major area of interest for me. I read Oliver Kamm’s Anti-totalitarianism: left wing case for a neoconservative foreign policy however found much of his rhetoric neutered by Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or survival, leading in part to my ultimate view of the invasion as unjustified.
Music is another passion of mine, I play the flute and piano to grade 6 standard as well as self teaching guitar to a comparable level. Sport is also a large part of my life, I have fenced to an international standard culminating in a spot on the U17 Britain team and attended competions in Hungary and France. I have also represented my School first eleven team in football. In my spare time I volunteer at the local hospice as well as regularly contributing to Amnesty international, both in terms of donations and volunteer work.
