PHD Anthropology Personal Purpose Statement Example
- Robert Edinger
- Apr 17, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Embarking on a PhD in Anthropology provides a distinctive chance to explore human cultures and identities, especially within the framework of globalization and intercultural interactions. Crafting a personal purpose statement is crucial for candidates to convey their academic path, research interests, and motivations for selecting a specific program. This example illustrates how to effectively showcase academic and professional experiences, alongside research objectives, to craft a persuasive personal statement for a PhD program in Anthropology.
PHD Anthropology Personal Purpose Statement Example
Having recently completed my MA in Anthropology, I am eager to advance in the field and see ____ as the ideal setting to explore ethnography from a multicultural and multidisciplinary perspective. I believe the Ph.D. in Anthropology program offers a solid intellectual foundation, focusing on social formation and the roles race and power play in shaping cultural identities, particularly in the context of globalization. I seek a fully immersive experience in ethnographic studies on cross-cultural identity formation.
I am enthusiastic about researching the concept of the 'third culture kid' (TCK) in Shanghai, China—children raised in a culture different from their parents'. This topic often involves language immersion and the environmental impact during formative years. I plan to study the class, racial, and ethnic composition of TCKs from an anthropological perspective, examining the complex interaction between family and host cultures. I aspire to pursue a Ph.D. in Anthropology at ____.
During my undergraduate studies, I identified as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) as described in literature. I realized that individuals like us are defined as third culture students whose identities are significantly shaped by a culture different from our parents'. Unlike my parents, who were born and raised in China until adulthood, I was born in Tokyo and mainly raised in Japan in a very structured environment. Moving to China introduced me to a rapidly developing and dynamic society, which felt chaotic compared to my experiences in Japan. These cultural differences deeply influenced my adult identity formation.
As an undergraduate Anthropology student in the USA, I was part of diverse student communities with multicultural backgrounds, observing how transnational experiences shape evolving identities. We often become different from our former selves in another culture. I am fascinated by the contrast between who I am now and who I was when I arrived in America, and the questions related to transnational and cultural identity.
Working as a global customer specialist at PayPal has enhanced my multilingual communication skills and understanding of diverse cultural behaviors. Having recently graduated with a BA in Anthropology, I am eager to excel in the field, and I see ____ as the perfect place to study ethnography from a multicultural and multidisciplinary perspective, with a strong foundation emphasizing social formation, race, and the influence of power in shaping cultural identity in relation to globalization.
I greatly admire the research focus of Professors Lorraine V. Aragon and ____ in the Anthropology Department at ____, whose work relates to cross-cultural study and globalization. I find Professor ____'s long-term fieldwork with Chinese communities in Malaysia particularly engaging, especially her adept exploration of complex interactions. Professor Nondini utilized participant observations and informal gatherings in her research, and I hope to apply these methods to my research on TCKs in Shanghai.
Due to Chinese government policy, TCKs are required to attend international schools categorized as higher-class education, with English as the primary language. Regardless of ethnicity or race, TCKs often have their collective identity generalized to include all English speakers. While most international students or TCS strive for full immersion in Western countries, some TCS living in Shanghai seem reluctant to learn or use Chinese and are less eager to engage fully with the broader society than is generally the case with minorities or subcultures in the West.
As a graduate student at ____, I hope to conduct an exhaustive study of class and ethnic diversity, focusing on the role of locality. I aim to explore class and racial separation within the TCS community in China and their level of engagement with the broader Chinese society, as well as the impacts of Chinese society on the complexity and diversity of the TCS.
Transnational identities are central to my intellectual exploration now and in the future. I am constantly probing and striving to understand the differences and similarities between cultures, particularly where they intersect in identities, ideals, challenges, and tendencies common to TCS. My overseas project, Transnational Identity of Chinese Muslims in London, written for my Research Design class in Anthropology, addresses the possible tension between Chinese Muslim Hui and non-Muslim Han people abroad. My data collection included gathering information from several non-Muslim Southeast Asians and representatives of the Muslim Diaspora in London. I conducted eight informal interviews, obtaining IRB approval, with five participants, both Hui and Han individuals. Although it was a small sample, I noted an ideological division between Chinese Muslims and other Chinese Han people in London. The qualitative data I gathered helped illuminate how individuals marginalized in their home countries tend to carry these issues abroad.
Graduating during the Pandemic and returning to Shanghai has drawn my immediate attention to how people with different political and social ideologies have responded to the ongoing, interconnected crises. Shanghai is more globalized than four years ago, and with the Pandemic's impact, TCS/TCKs found themselves reevaluating priorities and making significant sacrifices, either staying longer in the host country or returning home.
I hope to follow closely and build upon Andrea Louis's study, How Chinese Are You, exploring how Chineseness is produced rather than inherited. For most TCS like myself, life is about defining and redefining ourselves, particularly regarding transnational communication. Our identities are in flux, with significant ramifications across generations worldwide, driven by economic development and globalization. The identity issues I look forward to addressing in my contributions to the literature will focus on TCS in Shanghai. I am eager to delve into TCS family status, host cultural influence, and attempt to identify and describe various ethnic-based complexities within the TCS community. I hope my graduate study will provide a foundation for my long-term studies in globalization and cross-cultural communication.
Working as a global customer specialist at PayPal has greatly enhanced my multilingual abilities, providing opportunities for improved communication and understanding of diverse cultural behaviors. I hope to research the classification and formation of TCS/TCK in Shanghai. With your guidance, I aim to draft an anthropological examination of the class, racial, and ethnic composition of TCS in Shanghai, focusing on the relationship between their family and host culture as my doctoral dissertation for the Ph.D. in Anthropology at ____.
Thank you for considering my application to the Anthropology program at ____.
Detailed Analysis
Introduction
Strengths: The introduction effectively outlines the applicant’s academic background, current interests, and motivations for pursuing a PhD. It also links the applicant's experiences to the program's strengths, showcasing a clear fit with the university.
Improvement: The introduction could be even stronger by briefly mentioning specific methodologies or areas of interest to create an immediate connection with the program’s research focus.
Main Body
Academic Background and Early Interest: Provides a compelling narrative about the applicant’s personal experiences as a TCK, effectively linking these experiences to their academic interest in Anthropology.
Research Interests: Clearly outlines the applicant's proposed study on TCKs in Shanghai, providing concrete examples of the themes they wish to explore. The focus on class, race, and identity aligns well with current discussions in Anthropology.
Relevant Experience: The applicant’s work at PayPal enhances their qualifications by showing an ability to engage with diverse cultures, adding a professional dimension to their academic pursuits.
Why This Program: Demonstrates strong research alignment with faculty members and their work, which is crucial for a PhD application.
Conclusion
Strengths: The conclusion confidently summarizes the applicant’s research goals and emphasizes their long-term commitment to contributing to the field of Anthropology.
Improvement: Could include a more specific reference to potential contributions to the university’s research community or future career aspirations in academia.
FAQs
What should be included in a PhD personal purpose statement?
Your personal purpose statement should include your academic background, research interests, and reasons for choosing a specific program. It’s also important to showcase your career goals and how the program will help you achieve them.
How do I structure my personal statement?
A strong personal statement generally includes an introduction that explains your motivations, a main body that discusses your academic background and research interests, and a conclusion that summarizes your goals and enthusiasm for the program.
How can I make my personal statement stand out?
Focus on unique experiences and specific research interests. Be sure to demonstrate a clear connection between your research goals and the work being done at the program to which you’re applying.
Additional Resources
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PHD Anthropology Personal Statement Example
The applicant articulates a strong motivation to pursue a PhD in Anthropology, emphasizing globalization, race, power, and identity formation. This clarity of purpose demonstrates intellectual maturity and readiness for advanced research. By identifying as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), the applicant brings authenticity and lived experience to their proposed research. This personal connection enriches their academic inquiry and makes their research goals compelling. The statement highlights admiration for faculty research and ethnographic approaches, showing thoughtful alignment with the program’s strengths. The applicant’s interest in cross-cultural identity formation dovetails well with the department’s focus. The proposed study of TCKs in Shanghai is innovative, addressing class, race, and ethnic diversity in a rapidly globalizing context. This demonstrates originality and the potential to…