1. academic interest and how you will pursue it at NYU
The librarian handed me a dog-eared, battered book that seemed like it had seen better days. "Here. This will help." I looked on the cover- The Gay Science by Friedrich Nietzsche. Mrs. Simile laughed at my surprise, "It's not what you think. Trust me- you'll love it." Shrugging, I tucked the book into my bag. Three days later, I was back, bursting with inspiration. And so it followed- as quickly as I could read them, I made my way through philosophy books by Nietzsche, then Plato, Emerson, Thoreau, Moore...
I had always been different from my scientist family in that I was firmly entrenched in the humanities. Though they instilled in me a critical viewpoint, the way we applied it was entirely different; where they looked for specific answers, I loved questions that had no concrete answers at all, ones that made you think and want to debate them until you explored all possible venues.
With just one chapter of the Gay Science, I found what I needed- history, ethics, and personal insight woven into every sentence, some outrageous, most perceptive; all written so beautifully it made me shiver. In philosophy, I found both a way to further my personal growth and a guide through the humanities.
I want to continue this growth in the lectures of Nagel and Velleman, leaders in their fields and be in contact with the best Philosophy department in the country. With the chance to debate with NYU philosophers, I will be able to skillfully travel the path of the humanities to my goals.
2. What intrigues you? (place, event, etc.)
A few months back, I found myself sitting in a dilapidated classroom, a cracked whiteboard bearing diagrams by my side and an intent audience crowded before me, crouching on the uneven floor. The setting: a half-abandoned village deep in a Russian forest. The characters: the members of an intellectual summer camp from the Moscow University, students and professors alike.
Four years ago, I got accepted into an obscure camp in Russia, though I didn't realize the impact it would have. There, the one-on-one discussions with the eccentric professors following their morning lectures allowed my own ideas and personal ambitions to unfurl into strong verbal assertions. Whether staying up by the fire all night to debate everything between living and dreaming, or participating in impromptu Shakespeare plays from memory, I continually felt my brain evolve into a sleek, well-oiled machine. My growth culminated this summer, when I ended up leading a spontaneous two-hour lecture on American history and culture in that cramped classroom.
Not only did the camp help my personal growth, but it also afforded me a glimpse into a part of Russia I hadn't thought existed anymore. A preserve of the culture and intellectualism left from the chaos, it was a refuge for its members. In this warm atmosphere untouched for eight weeks by the uncertainty outside, I saw both a reminder of what had been lost and a glimpse of the potential for this country. Here, I found my inspiration.
Why NYU?
I am an addict. You see, I am hopelessly and irrevocably addicted to people, and this is what led me to NYU. This constant craving often urges me to make friends with complete strangers on the streets, amass enormous telephone bills with my all-nighters comparing Western and Thai traditions with my friend Chariya in a broken mix of English and Thai, and worst of all- inherit their quirks and hobbies, whether it be becoming an avid Shogi player or being inordinately picky about my cheeses.
Sometimes my addiction will play a beneficial role, as it did this summer in Russia. I borrowed a boom box from a street musician nearby, and with my friends, started up a dancing event right there on the Arbat Street of Moscow. With styles ranging from Hustle to Hip-Hop, it amassed a hundred people by morning, tourists and locals alike joined in the universal language of laugher and music.
Not only am I an addict, however, but also I'm a picky addict. Fortunately, there are places for people like me, the main one being New York City. A more motley, colorful, and beautiful mix of people I have seldom seen, and to me it's like a sugar addict being locked overnight in a candy store. And right in the heart of this veritable goldmine of personalities lies the jackpot; New York University. With it's top-notch study abroad program, it's unique curriculum, and it's amalgam of the most unique minds from all over the world, I feel that I could employ my addiction to it's fullest potential.
The librarian handed me a dog-eared, battered book that seemed like it had seen better days. "Here. This will help." I looked on the cover- The Gay Science by Friedrich Nietzsche. Mrs. Simile laughed at my surprise, "It's not what you think. Trust me- you'll love it." Shrugging, I tucked the book into my bag. Three days later, I was back, bursting with inspiration. And so it followed- as quickly as I could read them, I made my way through philosophy books by Nietzsche, then Plato, Emerson, Thoreau, Moore...
I had always been different from my scientist family in that I was firmly entrenched in the humanities. Though they instilled in me a critical viewpoint, the way we applied it was entirely different; where they looked for specific answers, I loved questions that had no concrete answers at all, ones that made you think and want to debate them until you explored all possible venues.
With just one chapter of the Gay Science, I found what I needed- history, ethics, and personal insight woven into every sentence, some outrageous, most perceptive; all written so beautifully it made me shiver. In philosophy, I found both a way to further my personal growth and a guide through the humanities.
I want to continue this growth in the lectures of Nagel and Velleman, leaders in their fields and be in contact with the best Philosophy department in the country. With the chance to debate with NYU philosophers, I will be able to skillfully travel the path of the humanities to my goals.
2. What intrigues you? (place, event, etc.)
A few months back, I found myself sitting in a dilapidated classroom, a cracked whiteboard bearing diagrams by my side and an intent audience crowded before me, crouching on the uneven floor. The setting: a half-abandoned village deep in a Russian forest. The characters: the members of an intellectual summer camp from the Moscow University, students and professors alike.
Four years ago, I got accepted into an obscure camp in Russia, though I didn't realize the impact it would have. There, the one-on-one discussions with the eccentric professors following their morning lectures allowed my own ideas and personal ambitions to unfurl into strong verbal assertions. Whether staying up by the fire all night to debate everything between living and dreaming, or participating in impromptu Shakespeare plays from memory, I continually felt my brain evolve into a sleek, well-oiled machine. My growth culminated this summer, when I ended up leading a spontaneous two-hour lecture on American history and culture in that cramped classroom.
Not only did the camp help my personal growth, but it also afforded me a glimpse into a part of Russia I hadn't thought existed anymore. A preserve of the culture and intellectualism left from the chaos, it was a refuge for its members. In this warm atmosphere untouched for eight weeks by the uncertainty outside, I saw both a reminder of what had been lost and a glimpse of the potential for this country. Here, I found my inspiration.
Why NYU?
I am an addict. You see, I am hopelessly and irrevocably addicted to people, and this is what led me to NYU. This constant craving often urges me to make friends with complete strangers on the streets, amass enormous telephone bills with my all-nighters comparing Western and Thai traditions with my friend Chariya in a broken mix of English and Thai, and worst of all- inherit their quirks and hobbies, whether it be becoming an avid Shogi player or being inordinately picky about my cheeses.
Sometimes my addiction will play a beneficial role, as it did this summer in Russia. I borrowed a boom box from a street musician nearby, and with my friends, started up a dancing event right there on the Arbat Street of Moscow. With styles ranging from Hustle to Hip-Hop, it amassed a hundred people by morning, tourists and locals alike joined in the universal language of laugher and music.
Not only am I an addict, however, but also I'm a picky addict. Fortunately, there are places for people like me, the main one being New York City. A more motley, colorful, and beautiful mix of people I have seldom seen, and to me it's like a sugar addict being locked overnight in a candy store. And right in the heart of this veritable goldmine of personalities lies the jackpot; New York University. With it's top-notch study abroad program, it's unique curriculum, and it's amalgam of the most unique minds from all over the world, I feel that I could employ my addiction to it's fullest potential.