MA International Relations Statement of Purpose Sample

Visualizing a Global Academic Journey: Diverse scholars and international symbols encircle the globe, illustrating the pursuit of a PhD in International Relations.

I grew up in Africa and became aware, early in my life, of the exceedingly difficult conditions in which so many of the world’s population live. While still at school, I was the co-founder and treasurer of a club called ‘Hope in Their Hands’ which raised funds and arranged visits to an orphanage in D.R. Congo and this exposure to suffering and deprived children fired a passion for helping the disadvantaged. I saw the study of International Relations as providing a basis for playing my own small part in improving the world in terms of improving food and physical security, education, and the encouragement of good governance.

My academic interests changed during the last two years of undergraduate study. One formative experience occurred during a high school trip to Kenya where I saw the bullet holes in the shopping mall that had been attacked by Al-Shabaab terrorists, and I wondered about the people responsible and their motives for such slaughter.  

My most recent internship involved work with orphanages in D. R. Congo. I engaged with children who were traumatized by events stemming from conflict. I was reminded of the impression that the thousands of bullet holes in the mall walls had made upon me. I understood that the most basic matter of physical security needs to be addressed first if any other aspect of living is to be genuinely and permanently improved and that the prevention of terrorism and civil and regional conflict is the basic condition on which everything else depends. I studied terrorism as a specific topic late in my undergraduate studies and have been extremely impressed by the lecturer in this field and her passion which I hope to replicate in my own studies and career.

My goal is to pursue a Ph.D. with a focus on terrorism and particularly on female terrorist activity. I hope to work in an expert capacity with the U.N. or the International Center for Counterterrorism. I see the program as providing insight which will provide the necessary foundation of knowledge and understanding to enable me to realize my future academic and career goals.

Students collaborating passionately in a study session on international relations, emphasizing global interconnectedness and cultural diversity.

While my primary interest lies in international terrorism and particularly female involvement and support, I understand that I need a much wider understanding of global security before pursuing my special interests. I see the program as providing vital insights into the causes of conflict of all kinds and how they arise, interlink and how they have been, or may, be resolved and how security can be optimized for the majority while conflict rages or outrages occur. I am seeking as wide an understanding of conflict causes, resolution, and security as possible within a highly challenging but supportive academic environment which is why I am applying to your master's program. I have researched various programs internationally. I conclude that your curriculum is ideal for my purpose, that your prestigious faculty and reputation is an assurance of the quality of teaching and support that will be available to me. I also look forward to working with peers as passionate about this subject as I am and to being part of a network of successful academics and workers in this field. I am particularly interested in the work of Professor ____ _____ and his work in ____ ____.

I am ethnically Chinese/Congolese. I have lived in China, Africa and the U.S. I am fully fluent in Mandarin and English and I have a reasonable ‘grasp’ of French and Swahili. I acquire new languages easily and enjoy learning them. I intend to perfect my French and Swahili as time permits and possibly to add other languages to my repertoire. I have a life-long interest in, and love of, art. Art provides an excellent ‘key’ to understanding other cultures and is often a useful ‘meeting point’ between people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. It also helps me to be a 'well-rounded’ person' in that I have a passion outside of my dominant dedication to International Relations.

A visual representation of global academia, featuring a scholar amidst international symbols, emphasizing the journey to a PhD in International Relations.

I am a friendly and outgoing person always getting along easily with others. I have happily studied, worked, and socialized with people from many cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds. I enjoy learning about new cultures and sharing knowledge of my own. I am confident that my background, experiences, and academic studies to date will enable me to ‘add value’ to the program.

I look forward to intensive research to gain experience for the pursuit of a Ph.D. in the future. I am aware that useful research calls for special characteristics such as clarity of thought and in goal setting, determination, patience, determination, and the ability to think creatively and originally along with many others. I possess the necessary characteristics to become a distinguished researcher in the future, getting off to an excellent start in the MA program.

I will admit that my academic results are less than ‘stellar’. My GPA for the first two years was around 2.7-2.9 because I was required to take mathematics and science courses that I found difficult. However, in my major subject, I did very well with the award of A’s for most of my work. I can assure the reader that I shall apply myself with exceptional diligence and enthusiasm to the program. I shall do so for my own benefit, that of my fellow students and the prestige of your institution. It is my firm intention to excel rather than merely to succeed in the program and in my career beyond.

Thank you for considering my application.

MA International Relations Statement of Purpose