Why This Graduate Program Is Right For Me Academically And Professionally Essay Sample

This Graduate program in Global Affairs with a focus on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance is ideally suited to my professional objectives in global development, as well as my heartfelt desire to relate to and to empower underprivileged people of different cultures and ethnicities.
I grew up in an exceptionally culturally diverse setting. My single parent mother raised my two sisters and me with the help of family friends. She worked as a nurse practitioner by day and a waitress by night. While she was at work we were introduced to Russian, Chinese, Filipino and African cultures through her friends. As a child I remember being captivated by the languages, the foods, the customs and stories of these different cultures as related to me by these expatriates. Their stories helped me to detach myself from the reality of my own family's hardships.
During that time we lived in a world of financial instability in which my mother had to fight constantly to keep a roof over our heads, to keep the electricity on and the water running. That was a battle she did not always win, and there were months at a time we went without one or more of life’s basic necessities. Rather than feeling helpless and depressed by her struggles, our mother motivated and empowered us by promising us an outside world of unlimited opportunities that we could access if only we would study hard and go to college. Her beliefs became deeply embedded into my subconscious, as did the stories and cultures of her friends.
Once in college, I was drawn toward journalism because it would give me the opportunity to tell the stories of others. However, the further I got into my major, and the more I learned about my industry, I felt limited by what I could report on and who I could help. As a result, after I received my undergraduate degree, I felt a strong urge to travel beyond American borders and to learn more about foreign countries, cultures and people. I knew I somehow wanted to assist those who were struggling, and bring empowerment to individuals through education, just as my mother had done for me. One way I was able to accomplish this was by teaching English as a foreign language in Asia and Central America. Giving my students the ability to speak English also gave them an outlet to use communication skills, as a way to advance their educations and to open the way to future opportunities.
During my time abroad, I thought long and hard about what I could do on a grander scale, to bring educational opportunities to people in developing countries. I now believe that the best way for me to accomplish this goal, to augment my personal efforts, is by attending the Global Affairs Graduate program at New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. By studying Global Affairs at NYU-SCPS I would gain access to faculty, alumni and fellow scholars, who could mentor and advise me on creating a successful and sustainable business in the international development sector. This program would allow me to apply my international travel and teaching experiences to improve the quality of the educational systems in struggling and emerging economies, so that I could provide opportunities for socially and financially underprivileged people.
As a student at NYU-SCPS I would be taught, guided and mentored by field professionals who could offer their personal experiences and insight toward my continued education and future international development objectives. By taking courses such as Peacemaking and Peacebuilding and Developing Countries in The Global Economy, I would gain knowledge and insights on how to strategically plan and successfully implement business developments for sustainable education in emerging economies.
A key component in establishing and developing a successful business in this sector is to partner with and learn from the current experts in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance. Being taught and mentored by NYU-SCPS field professionals, diplomats, attorneys, UN ambassadors and many other international experts, would provide an opportunity to leverage a unique and powerful collective intellectual asset in the foundation of my business venture.
As a graduate student at NYU-SCPS I could also interject my personal experiences into the courses in the Global Affairs curriculum and would be able to propose new concepts to spark conversation and debate among my peers and professors. I would utilize the resources offered by SCPS, including The Center for Global Affairs Initiative mediated workshop series, where I could learn about strategies, issues and ideas regarding foreign countries and their relation to the United States, and the critical global issues seminars in the Woolworth Building.
I firmly believe that once I have embarked on my own business, the experience and learning obtained from attending NYU-SCPS will prove invaluable, enabling my business to prosper so that I can help more people sooner than would otherwise be the case.