Cornell University - Hospitality Management: By (Name) Personal Statement

- Be patient, especially in times of adversity – perseverance will reap rewards;
- Hard work always pays; never give up whatever the circumstances.
Since I came to the United States some three years ago, in order to study at the best institutions I can find, I have kept in mind those two important maxims, focussing on hospitality management as my major – a subject I became deeply interested in, beginning from my time as a youngster in Macau when I worked in a very junior role in the five-star StarWorld hotel there. That prestigious establishment sets high standards of hospitality, having achieved the 5-Star Diamond Award presented by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Working there showed me how hospitality should be and inspired me to make my career in that field. I think that in the beginning it was not a conscious aspiration, but it did soon become an ambition that has grown stronger and stronger as time has passed. Macau is a renowned center for the hospitality industry and the StarWorld hotel is among the best, always working hard and to the highest standards, to ensure guests feel at home.
In addition to those guidelines for life that my parents blessed me with, I know that innovation adds that extra-special ingredient that makes for top quality hospitality, and that is why I constantly seek better ways to do things, better even than what most people perceive as excellence. Although I was just a junior employee in Macau, I found myself analyzing the processes and practices there, searching for possible improvements that could be made.
I believe that my languages abilities will be very useful in my chosen field, as will my willingness to step forward and accept responsibility even in my leisure pursuits. For example, perusal of my current resumé will reveal that I have taken every opportunity to fulfil an active role in voluntary organisations, also helping others wherever possible.
I am very much looking forward to studying at Cornell and achieving my long term objective of becoming a successful leader in the dynamic field of hospitality management. You can be sure that I will take maximum advantage of the first class education and the additional work experience I will obtain as a result, following both of my parents’ guidelines; i.e. to be patient when times might be tough and to always work hard, with the objective of being better qualified to benefit from my studies and to run my own business in the future.