Personal Statement On Villanova’s Liberal Studies Program

The liberal arts teach a person how to think. The Liberal Studies Program at Villanova University can train me in a wide range of fields that I’m interested in learning about, while being close to the dynamism of Philadelphia. Courses such as the history of travel and tourism provide a fascinating look into diverse areas of human thought and behavior such as politics, anthropology, and art. This multi-disciplinary approach to the world has interested me for a long time now and Villanova offers the opportunity to expand my scope in an academically rigorous, but relatively small and intimate setting. Furthermore the scope of the coursework and the flexibility to essentially take whichever courses you are interested in after the capstone courses greatly appeals to me since I have a wide range of interests.
My interest in the liberal arts developed over a long time. I grew up in Asuncion, Paraguay, but my parents were Taiwanese immigrants. In order to adapt to this multi-cultural environment I grew up in, I learned to speak fluent Spanish, Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, and a high level of French. My background lead me to the International Area Studies concentration at Drexel University, where I’ll be completing my undergraduate degree this June. During my undergraduate studies I was also able to take courses in a range of disciplines, including: political science, economics, women’s studies, French, and sociology.
My ultimate goal is to pursue a Ph.D. program in the humanities and social sciences. I am still uncertain about my longer-term career goals after studies, but I believe that the humanities and social sciences provide a solid foundation for pursuing anything, and are a good source of self-enrichment and exploration. In the humanities we study the past with a view towards learning from history and making the future a better place. Furthermore, we learn to communicate with each other and share our understanding of the world.
Through Villanova’s Liberal Studies Program I will be enabled to pursue my wide range of interests. The wide range of courses and the vitality of the environment will engage me to become a valuable global citizen. I would like to take what I learn in Villanova and teach others the importance of the social sciences and contribute to my community in terms of understanding and communication that only the humanities can provide.