Graduate School Application Essay

Stepping into my German 2 class freshman year, I was terrified. I had heard rumors of German being a tough language to learn and that the teacher who taught the language was cruel to her students. However, from the second I stepped into the classroom to the second I stepped out, I was enthralled by the beauty of the German language. After committing to and becoming proficient in German, I began to learn Chinese and was even more amazed by the intricacies of the language. Since my freshman year, my language teachers have encouraged me to continue to develop my love for other languages, other cultures, and politics. I have continued to develop my passion for these areas not only in the classroom, but also in my extracurricular activities as well.

In terms of my extracurriculars, my participation in Bettendorf High School’s Speech and Debate team, Teens for Tomorrow, and the National Honors Society have not only further developed my love for politics, but also have created a new love for non-profit work in my community. I have been able to lead many projects within the Quad Cities, such as a baby item and winter clothing drive that benefitted Family Resources, and a tutoring opportunity that connected high school students to struggling middle school students. These community projects required hours of organization and careful thought to ensure success as I had to account for student’s schedules, student’s needs, and community needs. However, my fellow students and I were able to successfully execute both projects with resounding success, and in both instances, I was able to practice and develop leadership skills that will stay with me for the rest of my

I am excited for a full schedule of rigorous courses that will allow me to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with concentrations in environmental sustainability and east Asia. In college, I would like to continue to hold myself to a high standard of academic achievement and to continue to develop lifelong skills such as leadership. As a college student, I want to not only be active within the campus community, but also within the local city’s community. I would like to continue to develop volunteering opportunities for students, and I would like to develop my political advocacy even further. After college, I would like to work with a non-governmental organization in a developing country to create environmentally sustainable means of development. While this field is highly specific and competitive, my leadership and organizational skills, along with my persistence and ability to adapt, would make me a competitive candidate for many positions within a non-governmental organization. After working for a non-governmental organization for a while, I would like to attend law school for environmental or human rights law. With a law degree, I would be a very competitive candidate for one of the state department’s diplomat positions, given that I pass the FSOT.