Undergraduate / Cornell CAS Essay - My interest in International Affairs [6]

Hey! So this is my 328934th draft and I'm really nervous about it since it is for Cornell. Please suggest any way I could make it better. Promise I'll return the favor :) Thank you!

Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.

My interest in international relations began in the June of 2004, at the age of nine, when I moved to Khartoum, Sudan. My parents were friends with the Indian ambassador and I often heard them discussing the Darfur War over dinner. I did not understand the severity of the situation because it seemed ludicrous that a war was raging in the same country as I was in as expat life in Khartoum was not affected at all. I remember meeting a few members of the Indian Peace-Keeping Force which gave me a brief glimpse into the world of the United Nations as it attempted to bring about peace in the war-torn nation.

At the age of twelve, I was introduced to the Rwandan genocide through the movie "Hotel Rwanda". Until then, I had always viewed the United Nations as a group of world leaders who could eradicate all evil in countries around the world. The Rwandan genocide showed me otherwise. In the UN's attempt to keep its distance from the local fighting, almost a million Rwandans died. This led me to question the several factors that affected international reactions towards conflicts.

My interest in global affairs was nurtured as I matured and became more aware about the world around me. In World History complicated relationships between countries during the World Wars and the Cold War where I found myself analyzing and exploring the problems in communication between nations and possible causes for these global conflicts.

My interest in international relations led me to take part in Model United Nations and I attended The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) where I was part of the legal committee in the General Assembly. Our topics included the responsibility of states for internationally wrongful acts, the scope and application of universal jurisdiction and the prevention of trans-boundary harm from hazardous activities, all of which were real issues from the UN. When the chair of my committee announced that the resolution my "country" had signed upon was to be sent to the UN, I couldn't help but feel I had in a way contributed to the world. This experience gave me further insight by increasing my awareness of international issues.

When the opportunity to join a seminar where students would discuss global affairs was presented to me, I immediately signed up. I spent seven months discussing disparities in wealth, conflicts over natural resources, human rights and several other current world affairs as they occurred. This seminar fuelled my passion for international relations as it made me realize that there was nothing I would rather be doing.

While studying government at Cornell, I plan to further my understanding of political science, specifically international relations. With courses dedicated to the causes of war, understanding the nature of politics, and the politics of energy and natural resources, studying at Cornell would help me expand my knowledge with the diversity and depth of the material taught.

Undergraduate / 'emphasis on a balanced curriculum' - GWU Essay [2]

Attach an essay of no more than 500 words indicating what most influenced you to apply to The George Washington University (required of all applicants). If you are applying to an accelerated or special program, also explain why you are interested in this program at GW.

It is undeniable that since the United States' emergence onto the world stage after the First World War, it has developed into a superpower that holds much leverage. From the Security Council in the United Nations to its interventions in global conflicts, the United States is a key factor to consider while studying international relations. When I consider a future where I would like to look into the complicated relationships between countries, I see no better place than Washington, D.C. Studying at GWU in the capital of the USA with its buzzing political activity, I will have invaluable access to resources for research and to further my knowledge of international relations.

I yearn to attend George Washington University because of its emphasis on a balanced curriculum in the Elliott School of International Affairs. In a way it is an extension of the International Baccalaureate curriculum which I have grown up studying in. Along with focusing on the International Affairs with classes such as World History, as a student of GWU, I will have the opportunity to experience classes such as Mathematics and Politics, connect the sciences to my intended major, and take classes where I can learn about different dances and music around the world. As I have resided in several countries, and experienced several different aspects of cultures around the world, I feel that the curriculum at the George Washington University is the perfect fit for me.

After having studied at George Washington University, I will graduate feeling like I have had access to the best resources in the field of international relations. I will graduate as a well-balanced person and feel confident about moving forward in the international relations field. Whether it is applying for post-graduate studies, a job, or internship, I feel that George Washington University has all this to offer and more.