Personal Statement

 ——廣州Jack

My name is Li. I graduated from United International College with a BA degree in (專業) in (畢業時間). I would like to apply for a MA program in Education in CUHK.

Although I did not major in Education Science and I might not have the qualifications to be a teacher in the university, my experience as an assistant teacher in a primary school in the earthquake-hit area in Sichuan made me decide to be a teacher. In 2009, I participated in a two-week volunteer activity in Sichuan, which helped me understand the significance of education. As volunteers, we were to assist children with their study and play with them. The school is a backward and remote primary school in Shuimo town, Sichuan, and few teachers want to work there. When we arrived, the kids were very happy and gave us a warm welcome. We organized a study program, teaching them Chinese, Math and English. Due to poor teaching conditions and the lack of good teachers, the pupils did not do well in the subjects being taught, but they were quite eager to learn and most of them were hard-working. Through communicating with them, we found that they were still haunted by the disastrous tremor attacking the area a year before. The students were in great panic whenever there was an aftershock. The suffering of those lovely kids made me so sad that I tried my best to help them recover from the fear caused by the quake. Those two weeks passed quickly and we had to leave, though they wanted us to stay there longer. The eager eyes of those pupils would often shine in my mind after I returned to my school in a metropolitan city in southern China, as if they were saying, “we need you.” This made me reflect upon the meaning of my life. If I were a professional teacher and could help those kids in need grow healthily, how meaningful my life would be! But I know I have no systematic training in education science or experience in teaching. There is still a long way to go to realize my dream.

After graduation, I worked in a kindergarten for half a year. This job gave me an opportunity to know more about myself and about what life meant to me. In the nursery school, I nursed and taught lots of kids, boys and girls, naughty or obedient. This experience made me realize that I love to be a teacher and that, perhaps more importantly, I have the qualities to be a teacher, for I have enough patience, passion and willingness to help. It also provides me a better understanding of the importance of education in our country’s development, especially in the far-off areas in western China which needs hundreds of thousands of qualified teachers. Wouldn’t it be a great thing in my life, if I were a teacher and can help those kids who have no chance to receive education to grow to be useful? Finally, the experience also made me realize that my knowledge on education is quite limited and that I should further improve myself by studying for a master degree in education.

The following qualifications will enable me to do well in the prospective MA program in education that I am currently endeavoring to apply for. In the first place, to be an educator is my long-cherished dream. To realize this, I can overcome whatever difficulties. Secondly, I have great interest in education science. As the proverb goes, interest is the best teacher. I believe that I will do well in what I am really interested in doing. Thirdly, I had a good performance in the four-year study in United International College and was one of the top students in my class. Although I majored in (大學的專業), my training during this stage helped me develop effective modes of thinking and research approaches. Fourthly, I have read many books on education in my spare time, which enables me to construct a solid groundwork for more advanced studies in this field. Last but not the least, my teaching experience mentioned earlier will play a positive role in facilitating my target program.

The reasons why I intend to pursue my further studies in the field of general education in HKCU are as follows. Firstly, it is an internationally renowned university. The School of Education in this university is quite outstanding among its counterparts in the area. I am particularly attracted by the School’s excellent teaching staff, powerful resources on pedagogy, vigorous academic atmosphere and a comprehensive curriculum. Secondly, as a part of China which is greatly influenced by western cultures, Hong Kong is a great place to further improve my abilities in various aspects, acquire knowledge, expand my horizons, absorb foreign cultures, continue my interests and fulfill my dreams to be an educator. Thirdly, it is my conviction that, in your university, advanced educational theories, technologies and information will facilitate me immensely in the achievement of remarkable academic progress, fulfilling my aspiration to become an accomplished professional in the field of general education. This will not only bring my patriotic fervor into reality, but also make my life more meaningful and rewarding. For all the reasons, I strongly aspire to acquire a chance to study in your university where I could devote all my wisdom and enthusiasm to fulfilling my dream.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could offer me a chance to realize my long-cherished dream.