MA International Relations Personal Statement Public Law
- Robert Edinger
- Jul 4, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 7

I prioritize the welfare of women and children, the continuation of our species, and the care of our planet. However, I am also a man, Black, and gay, in that sequence. As a social philosopher, I focus on the issues of oppression, marginalization, injustice, and discrimination against minority groups. Nowadays, I take pride in being part of a white society that has elected a Black man as its leader. My confidence in my leadership abilities has increased, thanks to both my personal growth and the progress of my home society, America.
I find that being Black has more significance for my career than being gay, largely because my Blackness is more visible. As a pragmatic and moderate political centrist—which I believe is crucial for a successful career in international relations—I aim to be an effective diplomat, broadly speaking, between the historically privileged and the underprivileged. Being aware of my minority status, I want to leverage it positively, using the opportunities available to me as a Black man to open and walk through doors that lead us toward more tolerant societies that embrace diversity rather than suppress it.
Coming from humble economic beginnings, I started working at 15 as a server's assistant at Bonanza and remained there for 2.5 years. This early exposure to the ‘real world’ inspired a deep commitment to my education. I completed my B.A. in Criminal Justice with distinction and became proficient in both Spanish and Catalan. With a long-standing passion for social service, I volunteered as a teenager at a nursing home and a hospital for the chronically ill. Currently, I volunteer as an English tutor with the Chinese immigrant community in Boston, providing me with valuable insights into Chinese language and culture. I have also worked as a Case Manager for prison populations. I am particularly proud of coordinating the University of Delaware’s Study Abroad Program in Granada and gaining additional professional experience as a translator for the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware, where I also served as a Teaching Assistant for two courses and worked as a Tour Guide. Additionally, I held a paid position as a professional researcher in the Criminal Justice Department.
Obtaining my Diploma of Superior Studies in Public Law from the XXXX de Barcelona in 2008 further directed me towards international relations. I continue to pursue interests that developed and became more defined in Barcelona: comparative criminal and constitutional law, and the philosophy of law. I am currently studying Mandarin Chinese intensively and am eager to master this challenge. I look forward to researching US trade policy towards emerging markets, particularly the People’s Republic of China, and conflict management in foreign policy and negotiation.
I aspire to serve as a diplomat or consultant in US-China Relations, whether in the public or private sectors. I am eager to study international relations at UXXX due to the department's prestige and excellence, and I appreciate your consideration of my candidacy for your program.
MA International Relations Personal Statement for Public Law






I place top priority on the welfare of women and children, the sustenance of our species and our planetary home. But I am also a man, black, and gay, in that order. As a philosopher of society, I am concerned with oppression, marginalization, injustice, and discrimination against minority groups. These days, I am especially proud to belong to a white society that has chosen a Black man to be its leader. I have more confidence than ever in my leadership skills, both because of my own progressive development and that of my society of origin, America.
I see being black is much more relevant to my career than being gay. Of course, my Blackness is much more obvious. As a…