Purdue Summer Program in Oxford

¶ … Purdue Summer Program in Oxford

There are several reasons why I would like to participate in the Purdue six-week summer program being offered in Oxford England. While I am aware that not every student who wants to go to the summer program gets accepted, I feel that I would make a good candidate. Please allow me to take a few moments of your time to explain why I feel I should be selected, and what it would mean to me personally to be able to spend six weeks learning in England over the summer.

First, when I came to the United States from Taiwan seven years ago, it was quite a surprise. Everything was very different, but I learned to adapt to the new culture, and also to speak English very well. I am now fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese, which is my native language. Since I am already familiar with cultural differences and boundaries, I don't feel that I would have any trouble adapting to the English professors, their styles of teaching, or their culture.

A enjoy learning about other cultures and find the study of people who are not from my home country very fascinating. It reminds me constantly that, while we have our differences, we are all really very similar. While I learn from people of different cultures, they also get to learn about me and my culture. In this way, I can give something back to the people I spend time with and show them something about the Taiwanese culture or the American culture that they may not have been aware of.

Since I consider both of these wonderful countries my 'home,' there is much I can impart to someone else about them. I feel that the summer program would give me the chance to experience yet another culture, with both its similarities and differences, while still continuing my studies.

Second, I was fortunate enough to take a trip to England during the summer of 1998, and found it to be a beautiful and fascinating country. It was an excellent trip, and it would have to be the best vacation I have ever had. Unfortunately, the length of my stay was not sufficient to learn all that I wanted to learn about the people and culture of England.

I would very much like to go back so that I can continue to experience all of the wonderful things that England has to offer. There were many things that I did not get to see while I was there, and I feel that the six-week program over the summer would give me an opportunity to return to all of the places I visited as well as visit some of the places I desperately wanted to see but could not because of the constraints of time and finances.

Third, I feel that this experience at a young age, as well as all of the things I will learn while there, will help me understand other cultures even more than I already do. Since I am a computer science major, I will have to work with many different people of diverse backgrounds in large companies. I want to be the best I can at my future job, and being culturally sensitive is very important to that. The stay in England will help me practice and hone my skills to a finer edge, which will in turn benefit my future employers and business associates.