MA English Literature Personal Purpose Statement
- Robert Edinger
- May 7, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 3

I am a 26-year-old woman, predominantly raised in South Korea, who has focused extensively on English language and literature throughout my academic journey. My English skills were significantly enhanced by completing grades K-4 in the United States. I earned a BA in Foreign Studies from XXXX University, majoring in interpretation and translation, and I am currently pursuing a master's degree in English Literature at the same institution. I am particularly interested in pre-Anglo-Saxon cultures and their influence on medieval literature, especially the Celtic monastic tradition of martyrdom and its echoes in the literature of that era.
My long-term aspiration is to become a permanent faculty member at my current university in Korea. I aim to dedicate myself to translating English literature into Korean. As an educator, I am eager to introduce English majors to medieval literature, a period that has not yet garnered much attention in the Korean academic sphere. Given our country's strong influence from Western history and culture, I believe students would be intrigued to discover that many contemporary literary issues trace back to this period. I hope to continue exploring the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods in your esteemed program, building a solid foundation in early English literature and its development in response to cultural and historical contexts.
Alongside Korean and English, my proficiency in Japanese has deepened my appreciation for linguistic nuances. I am confident in my ability to quickly adapt to a new academic environment, thanks to my previous experience in a Western country and various international volunteer projects. I have served as a TA for the English Literature Department and as a tutor at XXXX University of Foreign Studies, where I taught introductory English literature and other English-related courses. These roles allowed me to engage with a diverse range of people, including colleagues, professors, and students from various countries. I am known for my curiosity and readiness to tackle academic challenges.
Studying literary works like “Beowulf,” “Dream of the Rood,” “The Battle of Maldon,” “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” and the Canterbury Tales in their original Old and Middle English forms, under the guidance of Prof. Dong-il Lee, Korea's sole scholar teaching these texts in their original forms, has been highly beneficial.
I am confident I will thrive in your program, having grown up with tales of knights, dragons, wizards, and King Arthur. I am fascinated by the origins of these stories and how they reflect the cultures in which they were created. I eagerly anticipate studying abroad as a graduate student, immersing myself in the culture and atmosphere that underpin the literary tradition. Thank you for considering my application to your program.
MA English Literature Personal Purpose Statement Examples


