Personal Statement for Student Exchange Application - Admission/Application Essay Example

Personal ment for Exchange Application. As a Chinese Canadian, whose parents continue to reside in Taiwan, I have had the good fortune to enjoy the liberal democratic traditions, and open-mindedness, of Canadian society, and yet keep in touch with my roots in China. My frequent trips home have made me fluent in Mandarin and have ensured that I am very much in my comfort zone when immersed in Chinese culture. This has gifted me with a unique cultural perspective. My background has heightened my awareness of ethnic diversity, and, at the same time, shown me the basic similarities in thought and values which characterize all people, whatever be their nationality.

I love the way of life, and the freedom, of Canada; at the same time, I am inordinately proud of the technical prowess, dedication and hard work, which have gone into the making of China’s enviable reputation as an economic power house on the world stage. My father, a successful businessman and exporter, is my role model in this context. Spending a semester at Shanghai Jiaotong University, as an exchange student, will give me the opportunity to continue my academic pursuits in my field of choice and, at the same time, discover new dimensions to my roots as a Chinese.

The program will give me the chance to experience the reputed Chinese education system. I am keenly interested in developing a deeper understanding of the nuances of China’s economic miracle. As a student of Commerce, I cannot but be aware that, for better or worse, it is money which makes the world go round! I believe that my courses at Jiaotong will expose me to contemporary business practices in China, and the international facets of commerce, and give me the first-hand knowledge I need to attain a complete understanding of global commerce.

A study of the commercial workings of two contrasting economies like Canada and China will definitely be the lesson of a lifetime! In accordance with my choice of Finance as my major, I am particularly interested in the economic disparities which are widely prevalent in today’s society, and which result in the marginalization of a sizable proportion of the population. This is a threat to the stability of world society itself. The need of the hour is the abolition of poverty. I am convinced that the successful management of money in the contemporary world of global business will be the greatest force for change in the future, and I want to be in the vanguard of that force.

In terms of my career, I see myself working in finance-related fields, doing my part to bring about an equitable distribution of wealth and opportunity for all. In this context, I am doubly sure that China, with its extremes of wealth and economic need, will provide me with the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the potential of commerce to change the world for the better. My experiences as an exchange student in China will give me the ability to interpret and bridge the cultural diversity which differentiates Canada and China.

This will also make me uniquely positioned to be an ambassador for two different cultures, each with its own inherent strengths. To my friends at McGill University, I can open the door to the fascinating culture, and ancient way of life, that are a part of the rich heritage China brings with her as she consolidates her rise in the world; to my prospective colleagues at Jiaotong, I can share the openness and freedom which make Canadian society one of the best in all the world. I plan to extend my activities in the McGill Taiwanese Student Association to include students of other cultures.

It is indisputable that the economies of the East are slated to become the future movers of global commerce. My semester at Shanghai Jiaotong University will give my undergraduate degree in Commerce a depth and relevance which will make it doubly valuable to me, and enable me to contribute to the betterment of my academic environment and my future career in finance.