Monday, March 14, 2011

All Abroad! Getting (Full Steam) Ahead on Your Study Abroad Essay


By Matthew Decker
 
I’ve always wanted to explore the charming shops along the Ponte Vecchio.” 

The opportunity to view the Mona Lisa in person would be a dream.”

I simply can’t wait to catch a show at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.”

It’s easy to turn to phrases like these when you start writing a study abroad application essay.  The prospect of leaving home for an exotic locale oceans away not only stirs the imagination, but also calls to mind every story we’ve heard from family and friends about the beauty and history of another country.  We want to see the Eiffel Tower in person, and we crave the chance to eat authentic Italian cuisine, and nothing sounds more relaxing than sunbathing on an Australian beach. 

Unfortunately, these dreams—these hopes for the ideal study abroad experience—aren’t going to guarantee you an automatic spot in your desired study abroad program.  While your GPA and class standing determine your eligibility for study abroad, it is ultimately your explanation of intent that sets you apart from the other applicants.  So, the question your essay needs to answer is not why you want to go abroad but: Why do you want to study abroad?     

Let’s try to revise and develop one of the statements we started out with.  Despite its simplicity, the second statement actually has a lot going for it as a starting point.  The author demonstrates her desire to study abroad in France, as well as her interest in browsing the many famous paintings in the Louvre Museum—one of the central landmarks of Paris. 

However, it's a good idea to be even more explicit about your goals in your application essay.  Try to ask yourself these questions: Why am I interested in the study abroad program in France?  What can this program offer me that I don’t already have access to at American University?  Finally, how will I develop my academic interests while I live and study in France?  If you use these questions to guide your essay, your explanation of intent will be much more powerful and engaging.  Take a look at the revised statement:

As an Art major at American University, I’ve had the opportunity to study artwork in some of the most famous museums in Washington, DC, which provides ample reason for why I’d like to continue my academic interests at Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Echanges Franco-Americains in the spring.  With guided tours of the Louvre Museum and the opportunity to enroll in Art History courses devoted to the Italian Renaissance and French Revolution, the many amenities provided at MICEFA will both contribute to my growing knowledge of art history and inform my research for my senior project.”

Of course, this is only a snippet of what promises to be a solid and engaging study abroad essay, yet it properly showcases the necessary elements of a successful explanation of intent.  First, the author establishes her interest in Art at American University, as well as her desire to pursue the study of Art and Art History at MICEFA.  Then, the author shows that she has done her research by discussing the opportunities available to her through this study abroad program—namely, the guided tours and interesting Art courses.  Finally, the author discusses how this study abroad program will ultimately support the development of her senior project.  With so many strong points of connection evident between their course of study at AU and her plan for study abroad, the author fruitfully revises her initial idea to fashion a strong statement that sets her apart from the crowd. 

17 comments:

  1. This directly challenges the idea that those who have come of age but who lack practical experience will be able to engage in and benefit from moral inquiry on two fronts. People are grateful for competent ideas and clever materials. Not so many are aware of this fact. Reasonably cheap term papers on academic writing are likely to be well payed later.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do trust all of the concepts you’ve presented on your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too brief for newbies. May you please extend them a little from subsequent time?Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks.
    Study Abroad Consultants in Chennai
    Study in Germany Consultants in Chennai
    Germany Education Consultants in Chennai

    ReplyDelete

  3. its great way to help student lots of student looking this types of information for study abroad

    Study MBA in France

    ReplyDelete
  4. Do you know? 26 Canadian Universities are featured among the world’s best Universities in prestigious rankings.
    The University of Toronto is ranked 31st in the QS World University Rankings 2018 and 22nd in the Time Higher Education Ranking 2018.
    study abroad consultants
    Overseas Education Consultants

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wish to study, work or settle aboard?? Worried about the legalities?? Need Foreign Education Consultant In Ahmedabad?? Your search ends at D-Vivid Consultancy, one of the prominent study abroad consultants in Ahmedabad who help with student Visa consultation and overseas migration assistance in the cities of Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara.

    http://www.dvividconsultant.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is the reason that http://www.letterofrecommendation.biz/how-we-work-when-writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-for-you/ is recommending the best of the best students who tend to initiate new courses and the ideas to abroad and full scholarships are provided to them as well to learn in a better way.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The best time when you hangout with your friends and live the life you always have expected so to read here you just need to grab a chair near the sea and read what you want to.

    ReplyDelete
  8. There is the better area from which you can get the help to go to abroad for study. Just enjoy the final deal here and match all the necessary conditions of your life in this perfect field. You can get different in the search blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A good time while you hangout with the associates plus survive the actual you actually usually have likely in like manner read here you actually just need to get hold of your desk chair near to the seaside plus learn what you wish so that you can.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's in which http://www.pharmacypersonalstatement.org/faqs-pharmacist-education-requirmentspersonal-statements-writing/ will be advocating the most effective of the finest pupils which have a tendency to trigger fresh classes as well as the suggestions to in another country and also total scholarships or grants are given in their mind at the same time to master inside an easier way.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Want to see the world with your family and friends. Your wish come true with Transglobal Overseas Education Consultants. We are the best Visitor visa Consultants for Australia, UK, USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Europe, America, UAE and more. Book your appointment now and get free visitor visa counseling to our expert team.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Have you already chosen Germany as the country for overseas education? Understand the culture and education system of the nation with study in Germany consultants. Don’t need to go far for consultation, meet our professional study in Germany consultants in Delhi at APSA.

    ReplyDelete
  13. We know study abroad education is very expensive, but don't worry about this, we are one of the best study abroad consultants in Delhi and our experienced counselors guide you for good scholarship and best study program where u want.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for sharing great informational content. Tutoreye is the best ed-tech platform providing online tutoring and homework help to students all around the world in affordable prices 24*7 from expert tutors. Get english homework help as well as homework help from english expert tutors.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I truly enjoy your blog because it's so educational. Share this kind of blog in the future. One of the top companies offering Assignment Help in Australia has proven to be AssignmentHelppro.co. We offer assistance with writing assignments in practically every field of study, including business, the arts, mathematics, physics, and nursing. When you submit your request, our assignment professionals will present you with a solution within the given dates.

    ReplyDelete