Hi everyone, I have been struggling in drafting the below essay as I feel I am perhaps not answering all the questions or focusing on unnecessary points?
I will appreciate your help / opinions.
Instructions: A short essay - of about 500 words in English - giving reasons for applying for the OFID scholarship, explaining your educational goals, and clearly describing how you will use the experience gained from your Master's degree studies to help in the development of your home country.
I grew up under a dictatorial regime in a Muslim country where access to education, especially for women, was considered at best a luxury and at worst an unnecessary evil.
Indeed, my mother barely obtained her secondary school diploma. My grandmother didn't even attend high school, and my great-grandmother dropped out of elementary school at twelve to get married.
Fortunately, my parents didn't share this vision. Thanks to their sacrifices and despite the challenging political and economic climate in Tunisia, they made sure that, unlike them, I manage to get the best education possible.
Their efforts paid off as I got offered by the French government, right after high school, a full scholarship to purse a five-year degree in both Management & Law.
Although I moved to Paris at an early stage, I remained strongly attached to my home country's development. I tried to participate from afar to its democratic transition by promoting and raising awareness around the Arab spring events of 2011 and its implications, using the student association I was presiding as a platform.
On top of my involvement into civil society, I felt the need to gain a professional experience on the ground in my field of study. In this framework, I did an internship within a small firm specializing in Business Law, where I had the opportunity to work on the defense of one of Ben Ali's closest advisor. This allowed me to participate in fascinating affairs, such as procurement law procedures' violation, illegal shares' sale, fraud, and public fund embezzlements' charges.
Being so closely involved in these cases awakened in me a strong interest into public finances' management and economic regulation's issues in a developing countries' context. Thus, I decided to specialize in Tax Law as I firmly believe that the government's ability to raise taxes will determine its capacity to create and redistribute growth.
In my future career, I certainly wish to dwell upon my academic achievements in both law and economics. On the other hand, I would also aspire to evolve in a challenging work environment and help countries that struggle with their democratic transition implement effective tax reforms.
My career plan, as ambitious as it is atypical, falls perfectly within the International Monetary Fund's core missions, which aims to help its member states restore market balance and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Nevertheless, to be even considered for the prestigious "Fund Internship Program" in Washington D.C, an L.L.M is presented by the recruitment team as a necessary perquisite.
The OFID scholarship, if awarded to me, will represent a great step in realizing my career goals and personal aspirations.
Indeed, completing my education at U.C Berkeley School of Law would offer me the opportunity to be considered for a job within Middle-East/North African section of the IMF, where I plan on participating into the implementation of comprehensive tax policies that will allow Tunisia to reduce its staggering tax gap, especially in respect of losses from tax fraud and aggressive tax planning. I strongly believe that this is the best way for the country to meet its financial obligations and improve its public services.
I will appreciate your help / opinions.
Instructions: A short essay - of about 500 words in English - giving reasons for applying for the OFID scholarship, explaining your educational goals, and clearly describing how you will use the experience gained from your Master's degree studies to help in the development of your home country.
implementation of comprehensive tax policies
I grew up under a dictatorial regime in a Muslim country where access to education, especially for women, was considered at best a luxury and at worst an unnecessary evil.
Indeed, my mother barely obtained her secondary school diploma. My grandmother didn't even attend high school, and my great-grandmother dropped out of elementary school at twelve to get married.
Fortunately, my parents didn't share this vision. Thanks to their sacrifices and despite the challenging political and economic climate in Tunisia, they made sure that, unlike them, I manage to get the best education possible.
Their efforts paid off as I got offered by the French government, right after high school, a full scholarship to purse a five-year degree in both Management & Law.
Although I moved to Paris at an early stage, I remained strongly attached to my home country's development. I tried to participate from afar to its democratic transition by promoting and raising awareness around the Arab spring events of 2011 and its implications, using the student association I was presiding as a platform.
On top of my involvement into civil society, I felt the need to gain a professional experience on the ground in my field of study. In this framework, I did an internship within a small firm specializing in Business Law, where I had the opportunity to work on the defense of one of Ben Ali's closest advisor. This allowed me to participate in fascinating affairs, such as procurement law procedures' violation, illegal shares' sale, fraud, and public fund embezzlements' charges.
Being so closely involved in these cases awakened in me a strong interest into public finances' management and economic regulation's issues in a developing countries' context. Thus, I decided to specialize in Tax Law as I firmly believe that the government's ability to raise taxes will determine its capacity to create and redistribute growth.
In my future career, I certainly wish to dwell upon my academic achievements in both law and economics. On the other hand, I would also aspire to evolve in a challenging work environment and help countries that struggle with their democratic transition implement effective tax reforms.
My career plan, as ambitious as it is atypical, falls perfectly within the International Monetary Fund's core missions, which aims to help its member states restore market balance and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Nevertheless, to be even considered for the prestigious "Fund Internship Program" in Washington D.C, an L.L.M is presented by the recruitment team as a necessary perquisite.
The OFID scholarship, if awarded to me, will represent a great step in realizing my career goals and personal aspirations.
Indeed, completing my education at U.C Berkeley School of Law would offer me the opportunity to be considered for a job within Middle-East/North African section of the IMF, where I plan on participating into the implementation of comprehensive tax policies that will allow Tunisia to reduce its staggering tax gap, especially in respect of losses from tax fraud and aggressive tax planning. I strongly believe that this is the best way for the country to meet its financial obligations and improve its public services.