I am a Junior at Oregon State Univeristy majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and a minor in Psychology and Business. After graduating with my bachelor degree I plan on getting my masters in Education and University of Oregon. My ulimate dream in life is to open up my own private school in the US that takes different aspects of education and morals from around the world. Unfortunately, as a first generation college student my family hasn't had the best of luck these past years and due to medical bills they are unable to help me pay for my education. I have always day dreamed about traveling the world and this opportunity will help me achieve not only that, but my hopes of my own christian school. Posted below is my academic statement I had sent to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland that shows how passionate I am about this experience. 

Upon the many reasons why I wish to study at the University of Edinburgh the main one is that it is such a life changing opportunity. I am ready for this challenge; embracing a new culture and representing my country in a positive and uplifting manner while furthering my academic goals. Everything I’ve worked for in life has led me to this opportunity at this moment in time! When looking into choices for my studies next year I began researching the various schools, programs and countries available through study abroad.  As a Scottish descendant I knew I wanted to travel to Scotland and immediately found myself drawn to the town of Edinburgh! The old time country atmosphere, medieval architecture, rich history and breathtaking environment made me feel that this was the perfect place for me to further my education.

After further exploration of the program and Edinburgh, I was hooked and started the application process right away. Ahead of the game for the spring semester I have had plenty of time to set up advising appointments and to gather the appropriate financial aid documents. Even just day dreaming about attending Edinburgh gives me butterflies! I want to study at your university because I know this experience will help me become a better person and better prepare me for the future. My education is one of the most important things in my life and I work hard to prove that! In preparation for my new endeavor to Scotland I plan to research its history and culture and while studying abroad attend a Scotland history class in order to help me become more culturally aware of my temporary home. I want to fully embrace this adventure and embrace the culture and everything there is to learn about Edinburgh.

 My semester abroad will help assist me in achieving my academic and professional goals by allowing me to take social science classes not offered at my university. This program will help me learn to better understand people of different backgrounds by placing me in a new environment with a different social structure, where for once in my life I will be out of place. As a human development and family science major with the aspiration of becoming a teacher, this experience will help me learn firsthand about the development and customs another culture uses to learn and teach. I hope to then use these new skills to improve education in the United States. I know if given the opportunity to attend the University of Edinburg I would take advantage of every academic opportunity I could and succeed in all of the classes I would enroll in.

This being said, I would love to attend Edinburgh University. I hope to be a great example of what an American can aspire to and fully embrace this new culture. I would like to think that Edinburgh will not only inspire and help me grow as a person, but that I will also leave my mark as well.