My Goal is to become an International Development specialist. KGSP Statement of Purpose

Hello everyone,
I am applying for a KGSP to study Masters Degree in 2017/2018. I kindly request your assistance to review my essay. Thanks

Goal of study & Study Plan

- Goal of study, title or subject of research, and detailed study plan

My goal in studying a Masters course in International Development and Cooperation is to be a professional international development specialist by expanding my knowledge and acquiring essential skills that will build up to my academic background in Political Science degree and Economic Diplomacy diploma. 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 affairs.

A subject of research that I would love to work on is "How developing countries can make use of International Development Cooperation to achieve sustainable development." I chose this subject because; despite numerous interactions and cooperation with developed countries, or the Official Development Assistance many developing countries including my country Tanzania, demonstrate slow development steps. This makes one wonder, What really is the role of International Development Cooperation in pursuit of sustainable development? What should develop countries do, what policy should be put in place or how available policies can facilitate the gain from these interactions?

Taking an example of Asian Superpowers, South Korea and China, among other factor for their economic success stories is the role of International Cooperation. Tracing back in history, during the 1960s these countries had almost the same development level with Tanzania, which had recently gained her political independence. Today South Korea and China have left Tanzania far behind and are now among the great donners to Tanzania development projects. The economic history of these countries shows that these countries used their international cooperation and foreign development aid to their advantage. South Korea particularly, has used foreign aid and its cooperation with USA and Japan to facilitate trade (imports and exports), technological and innovations transfer as well as institutional knowledge. On the other hand, since her independence from British colonial domination in 1961 to date Tanzania has been in a number of international cooperation and has been a recipient of International Development Assistance from various countries including South Korea under KOICA, but despite all these the country is still characterized with poor health services, poor education system, poor infrastructure etc.

This research subject is relevant as it address the current state of international affairs, that is, economic cooperation. Previously countries interactions mainly focused on political and security issues, different from today where these interactions have given great emphasis to economic cooperation which is characterized with increase in foreign government aids (ODA), international investments, the rise of MNCs, NGOs and individuals as actors in shaping local and foreign policies .etc. The outcome of this research will provide a model which can be put into place to assist developing countries achieve the intended outcome of International Cooperation.

I plan to use the international relations theories and development models 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 Research Design and methodology, International Cooperation and Sustainable development as well as Contemporary Issues in Development will be useful tools in conducting my research. As means to collect relevant data l plan to use literature review, questionnaires as well as interviewing professionals in the international development field.

I plan to finish my studies within the proposed three years. In the first year I will be committed to studying Korean language. After a year of language studies, I will start masters courses while at the same time building up on my research project.

My academic background is a good foundation that will help me manage taking this program and do well in this field of studies. I have taken part in various seminars on topics such as Political Theories, Human Rights, Humanitarian Actions, etc. I was also able to do a research paper for my Diploma, on the Effects of FDI to host countries and the government role to manage the effects.

The extensive seminar presentation and group work I have participated in during my undergraduate studies has shaped me into a confident and flexible person with ability to work well as an individual and in a team. Apart from that, being a leader in school, church and family settings has given me the opportunity to work with people from diverse background and the experience has helped me sharpen my interpersonal skills. The leadership experience has also taught me patience, tolerance, confidence and commitment. These values as well as my personal experience will help me cope with challenges of studying in new environment to reach my goals and I will also use these values in relating with my fellow students.

Joyce, you had a very good study plan presented in the first to middle part of the essay. Unfortunately, you lost track of the purpose of the essay when you got to paragraphs 6-8. The essay would have better closed on paragraph 5 because that is relevant to the discussion of the research you plan to implement. Paragraphs 6,7,8 though go back to your academic preparations for the KGSP. These are no longer required elements in this particular essay so it should not be repeated here. Repeating it will not serve any purpose. I strongly suggest that you remove those paragraphs so that you can present the essay in the strongest possible manner. You just have to create a new concluding paragraph for the essay at this point. Indicate a concluding statement that shows how hopeful you are that the research will be the best that it can be because of the help the university will be able to offer you.

@Holt
Thank you very much for the Feed back.

I will omit the excess paragrafs and come up with another conclusion.

I am starting another thread on my Self introduction essay, can you kindly review it please.

Thank you in advance. :)

Good work. The goal of study / study plan is presented in a manner that clearly indicates a well developed thought process. The considerations for your study, as you have it presented helps to increase the interest of the reader in your plan. However, you have some questions in the essay that do not have any responses. It sounds like you might be inclined to write policy research papers along with this research topic? Is that so? If not, then you have to clarify that you are not going to be writing policy papers however, you hope that your research can open the discussion towards the possibility of developing appropriate international policies in the UN or somewhere for implementation in relevant areas. You have to be careful about the way that you present questions in your study plan, it tends to make one deviate from the discussion or, as in this case, open the opportunity for 2 case studies instead of only one.

@Holt

Hello,
Thanks.
I put those questions like a development of my research Topic i.e Some countries have rose to economic prosperity through IDC and some are not that successfull, does IDC play a role in economic development? or did the sucssesful countries use IDC with some kind of policies to achive development or what. So the intention of the questions was to build up on the Research Title.

Should I remove them or should I present them in onother way?

Thank you once again.

Don't remove the questions. Instead, you should work on presenting it as a part of the thesis statement / paragraph. All of the research related questions must be included in the essay as these form the foundation of your research work. You just cannot present it as individual questions in a goal of study essay. As the type of writing dictates, all information must be presented in an essay format. Therefore, the questions can be used to present an enhanced thesis statement. Properly developing the thesis statement, such as with the inclusion of the questions, will result in a paragraph formed chronological outline for your research paper as well. Kindly form the thesis statement based upon these instructions so I can review it and improve upon it if necessary.