Sample Personal Statement

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        Growing up the 2nd oldest in a house with six kids, being a military dependent, and traveling the world have shaped my life in indescribable ways. Constantly on the move, I have lived in 11 different houses and attended 5 different schools in 4 different countries.  As the daughter of a career Army officer, I have become very accustomed to relocation and look forward to new adventures with enthusiasm.  When people ask me where I am from, I have several answers.

        Ich bin von Deutschland. I was born in Germany and have lived there twice over the last 18 years.  Germany has added an unconventional foundation to my upbringing because I went to a German public school for my first years of elementary education.  I became fluent in the language and was imbued in the native culture.  Becoming part of the local community, I made German ways part of my everyday life.  I learned German songs, ate German food, and learned traditional dances at school.  However, it didn’t come easily.  I remember refusing to speak German for several months, though my teachers confirmed for my parents that I could understand them; I just wouldn't speak. It seemed as if I was determined as a young seven-year-old to force all of Germany to become English speakers.  At the six month mark, exhausted from my efforts, I finally spoke Deutsch.  Before long, the locals could not even detect an accent and as far as they were concerned, I was a little 'Bayerisch' (Bavarian) girl. Making the local German community a home for me was a welcoming experience.

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        Je viens de Belgique. I spent my pre-adolescence, middle school, and beginning of high school years in Brussels, Belgium.  I sometimes feel as if I am part Belgian because I spent the largest portion of my school years there, and feel that I had a true connection with the international lifestyle of the “Capital of Europe”.  It was at my school in Brussels that I was first exposed to an extremely diverse student body, which was composed of children from over 32 nations.  Before I moved to Brussels, I could barely name 32 countries- now I had friends from all ...

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