Personal Statement to University of California
1) What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement.
I intend to pursue higher education to major in Asian American Studies. I am an international student from Hong Kong and am currently studying in Los Angeles, California. My current academic plans include completing two (2) years education in Los Angeles, to comply with the educational pre-requisites needed prior to transferring to the University of California. My interest in the field of Asian American Studies was spurred by my professional goal to establish a career in the United States, either as an educator, researcher, or practitioner whose expertise on the subject matter could be used in private or public organizations, or in an entrepreneurial venture. I have affirmed that global organizations have increasingly encouraged recruitment and placement of people from diverse cultural origins, including those from Asian descent. Likewise, since Asians have long migrated and assimilated in the American culture, I observed that a lot of Asian American professionals have succeeded in their respective fields of endeavor. Therefore, I would like to be counted as one of these successful Asian Americans who could contribute towards improving the welfare of mankind. As such, the expertise of Asian Americans through ingenious values and beliefs, in conjunction with assimilating cultural practices of the West, would be most beneficial in career opportunities requiring theoretical frameworks on Asian American Studies.
While living in Hong Kong, I recognized that diversity in culture provides immense opportunities for enriching people’s lives. Hong Kong has been acknowledged as a peninsula that is rich in trading where people from all walks of life visit the place to visit tourist attractions and become immersed in Asian culture. My proficiency in the Chinese language is considered a plus factor and one which would perfectly comply with one of the required units in Asian American Studies. I had some volunteer experience in Hong Kong, working as an interpreter to visiting tourists, who need assistance in translating instructional guides from Chinese to English. The experience provided the impetus for the realization that a formal education on Asian American Studies would assist in the realization of my dream to live permanently in the United States and share the rich legacy of my culture to contemporary and future generations.
(2) Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?
I am innately conscientious of sharing my knowledge and skills towards the betterment of other people. I am gregarious, flexible, and easy to work with. Hong Kong residents with ethnic roots from Chinese descent were noted to be industrious and hardworking. As such, I am a high achiever and am always determined to accomplish what has been set as my personal, academic, or professional goals. The orientation given me to become independent and work as an entrepreneur instrumentally contributed to the desire to succeed based on my individual accomplishment.
commitment to assist foreigners in addressing various inquires and concerns proved that my sociable nature is beneficial in any profession that would require frequent interaction with people from diverse geographic and cultural origins. I remembered helping an old American couple who visited Hong Kong for a vacation. Through their persistence and cordial solicitation of assistance, my volunteer to guide them throughout their journey in Hong Kong was deemed to be a memorable and extremely happy event. They continue to write me even after they have completed their tour. Until contemporary times, the America spouses send me cards and correspondences to affirm their genuine appreciation for the assistance that I have given them. The feeling of appreciation and happiness shared with me was considered a fulfilling and rewarding memento which I will cherish forever.
The stories that my American friends shared while we were visiting historical sites in Hong Kong also stirred my desire to visit the United States and to eventually establish my career here. I affirm that I need to learn more about the experiences of Asian Americans through formal education. Likewise, I also recognized that although I have a set of skills set that would enable me to interact cordially with people from all walks of life, I still have to develop other skills that enrolling in Asian American Studies could develop. I believe that apart from the basic skills mentioned, I could anticipate the further development of the following skills: research, effective communication, leadership, and skills of introspection. I am also looking forward to potential full-time career in teaching or in research.
Overall, whenever I achieve the identified goals I have set in life, I consider them as accomplishments which provide learning experiences as well as opportunities for personal and professional growth. Thus, achievements of these explicitly defined goals make me proud since these prove that the time, effort, and determination invested in them evidently paid off.
