Scholarship / Personal Statement for KGSP - to show my full potentials and meet my research expectations [3]

KGSP Graduate 2020 - Personal Statement

I'm applying for the KGSP and I need some help with my personal statement. Please bare in mind that this is only a draft and my brainstorming, I'll later on combine the paragraphs and put them into an essay format. All feedback is much appreciated. Thank you.

Motivations with which you apply for this program:
After three years of majoring in English Language, literature and Civilization I'm finally going to graduate this year. And I wanted to broaden my knowledge by continuing my Master's outside of my country. That's why I've done an immense amount of research for the perfect opportunity that will serve me growth personally and professionally. And after coming across the GSP, I realized it was the perfect opportunity for me and I shall not let it go. It's like this program was hand-tailored for me. And after reading about all the achievements and contributions of the KGSP alumni in Korea and outside of it, I was hooked. And I was also sure that this program will be able to demonstrate my full potentials and meet my research expectations.

Your education and work experience in relation to GKS:
My Bachelor Degree in English has helped me grow into a critical person with diverse analytical abilities which I will be able to put to use if I get accepted into this program. Being an English major, I learned to question everything at hand and seek the truth no matter what. My study in English literature and civilization has prepared me for such a graduate program like GKS. In addition, I volunteered for a while year in the international organization AIESEC, in the department of Public Relations and Marketing. In which, I learned a lot about communication and the use of media in the modern market. I've also managed to be a part of the Communication Department in our faculty USTAND's club. We took care of everything digital and marketing related. And that helped me get a clearer picture of how media and digital presence can affect people and their opinion.

Reason for studying in Korea:
I think this program offers me a golden opportunity. Because not only do I get to study Media and journalism, which has been my dream ever since I was a little girl, but to also study it in South Korea; a beacon of media and entertainment in this day and age. It has always amazed me how The Southern Korean media utilized the rise of technology, the internet, and social media. Which is something rare in my country. I hope I will be able to learn from this and later on implement in my country. In addition, there is a remarkable incident that happened to me a few years ago that made me more impressed with Korea and the Korean Culture. We once had a festival in my local town, and a Korean traditional dance group came to perform. After they finished, I went ahead to talk to them. And their generosity and kind-hearted amazed me beyond measures. They were so genuine and they had their mind fixed on introducing their country in the best way possible. They tried to teach me a couple of Korean words and told me about their favorite foods there and places they like to go to when they're bored. They even tried to teach me the Korean traditional dance but I failed miserably. I remember how much I admired them and their persistence. And I got even more interested from then to learn more about such an intriguing culture, with such genuine people and amazing food and clothes.

Any other aspects of your background and interests which may help us evaluate your aptitude and passion for graduate study or research:
I come from a very small town in southern Tunisia, so we didn't have many local media nor the international ones. But I was privileged that my father was a reporter and a journalist in a newspaper and radio at certain periods of his life. So growing up around that field only grew my interest in it and made me realize how much I want to do it as well. The ability to affect millions and shed light on the truth amazed me and as I grew older I realized I was born for it. To this day, my dad still works as a freelance journalist and I try to help out or just watch him do his job whenever I can. I picked up a few skills along the way, like writing articles, radio presenting skills, interviewing people and reporting news. I haven't fully developed as a journalist but that's what I hope to get out of this program.

Scholarship / KGSP - Statement of Purpose (Goal of study & Study Plan + Future Plan - Media Reporter) [2]

career in international journalism

My goal in studying a Master's course in Mass Communication and Media is to be a professional journalist by expanding my knowledge and acquiring essential skills that will build up to my academic background. I also target on mastering the Korean language to equip myself with one more communication tool, which will be an added advantage in my career in international journalism.

A subject of research that I would love to work on is "How media affects the socio-economic dimension of a country." I chose this subject because, after the revolution in Tunisia. I saw how freedom of expression and media turned the whole country upside down. This makes one wonder, What really is the role of media in a socially and economically balanced country? Does media have an effect if a country is developed or not? What media strategies are developed countries following? What should developing countries do, what strategies should be put in place or how available strategies can improve the socio-economic dimensions?

This research subject is relevant as it addresses the current state of mass media in both first and third world countries. Previously the media only consisted of TV, radio, and newspapers, different from today where technology, the internet, and social media have given great emphasis to international journalism which is characterized by the increase in global issues, international relations, the rise of engaged journalism, internet journalism and microblogging. The outcome of this research will better help understand how media affects the whole dimensions of a country and will provide a model that can be put into action to assist developing countries to achieve a balanced socio-cultural and economic media platforms.

I plan to use the mass communication theories and social theories learned during the first year of my master's course to conduct my research. The universities I have selected have well-structured courses that correspond to my research subject. Courses such as Social Theory, Public Relations as well as Mass Communication Method Study and Statistical Research will be useful tools in conducting my research. As a means to collect relevant data l plan to use surveys, an internship, questionnaires as well as interviewing professionals in the media field.

While studying for my master's degree I intend to be fully involved at my University. This includes participating in events, joining clubs and meeting different people from various backgrounds. I intend to do this in order to build a wide network of contacts so that they can help me broaden my perspective and outlook on the world. As a journalist, one should always be openminded and ready to face new challenges and new people every day.

I plan to finish my studies within the proposed three years. In the first year, I will be committed to studying the Korean language. So that I can adapt easily into the Korean environment in which I will conduct my study. After a year of extensive language learning, I will start my Master's courses while at the same time building upon my research project.

The universities I applied for, have the tools and opportunities for me to conduct my research. Which along with my background knowledge will have a great outcome that will be the birth of this research.

After finishing my Master's degree, I plan to find a job in South Korea in the field of media, as a reporter, an investigative journalist, a columnist, a radio presenter or broadcaster. I plan to put my effort and hard work as a gesture of gratitude for the country that helped me complete my research and broaden my horizon. I plan to demonstrate and use the knowledge I got in this program with a job in journalism and try to up my skills even more from working around the Korean media field. After I feel like I possess the enough skills to head back to my home country, I will do just that and start my own radio and magazine. In hopes of improving international journalism there. I'd also like to be the bridge between Korean and Tunisian media. I'd be the link that binds both cultures and fields together.