exchange personal statement

Exchange Student Tips

Information and Advice for Foreign Exchange Students

Student Exchange Application: 9 Powerful (and Easy!) Steps to a Great Application

Here’s the thing:

Finding an exchange student program  and choosing a host country are easy.

Actually getting onto the program you want, and being selected to go to your first-choice country, is very hard.

In a word, the problem is  competition .

When you apply to be a foreign exchange student, you’ll be competing against high achievers – well-rounded, good citizen-type students, who are highly motivated, above average academically and with great credentials.

They may be current school captains or class presidents, or captains of the school debate team.

They may even be former exchange students, or already fluent in the language of the country they want to exchange to.

From the perspective of a student exchange program, those are all big pluses.

How do you beat those guys?

Don’t fear. I have nine simple yet extremely powerful tips which are going to help you write a student exchange application that will blow them all away.

1. Make your written student exchange application irresistible by focussing on personal characteristics that the exchange program is looking for

Most people trip up because they treat their written student exchange application as an opportunity to write a long essay about themselves.

They write about their interests and skills and hopes as an exchange student.

What should they really be doing?

Focussing on the exchange program and the kinds of students the program wants to send overseas.  

Think about it.

In the mind of the person reading your application, your goals or hobbies or expectations are secondary considerations.

What that person really wants to know is whether you have the personal qualities that the exchange program thinks are important for exchange students to have.

So, when you’re writing your application, you need to keep those desirable personal qualities front and centre.

Now, here’s some good news:

Exchange organisations usually tell you the very qualities they are looking for, in very explicit terms, on their websites.

For example, the AFS Australia website states as follows:

The AFS website actually tells you very directly that AFS is looking for people who are flexible, self-confident and able to mix well with others.

If you were applying for an exchange with AFS, you’d know exactly what personal qualities to focus on in your written application, wouldn’t you?

You’d give them what they wanted and talk about how you possess all of those qualities, thereby demonstrating that you are exactly the kind of person AFS likes to send overseas, and a better candidate than your competitors.

In a similar vein, the global website for Rotary youth exchange states the following:

Again, it’s virtually laid out on a platter:

Anyone interested in applying for a student exchange with Rotary needs to demonstrate through his or her written application that he or she is:

• open to different cultures, and
• able to serve as an ambassador

Before you start writing your application, be sure to find out the kind of student your exchange program is aiming to recruit, and make sure that your application demonstrates that you meet that profile.

2. Start your answers with strong, positive statements which send the message that you meet the exchange program’s requirements exactly

In high school, you’ve probably learned that the correct way to format every paragraph in an essay is to:

• Start the paragraph with a firm statement or proposition , and then
• Provide relevant evidence or other detail which supports that statement or proposition

The same rule applies with your student exchange application.

You need to start each answer with a strong, positive statement which directly addresses the question you’ve been asked and leaves no doubt that you meet each criterion set by the exchange program.

For example, your application might have the following question:

Exchange students constantly encounter new people and situations and need to be flexible and open to change. Describe a situation in which you displayed flexibility and a willingness to change.

A good way to start your answer to that question would be as follows:

I am a flexible person who has displayed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

Why is that sentence so powerful?

Because it borrows key language from the question – the words “flexible”, “willingness” and “change” –  and therefore addresses the question directly.

It’s also a strong statement because it starts using the very strong statement “I am” – rather than “I consider myself” or “I aim to be” or some other weaker formulation.

In other words,  that sentence sends the message that you are exactly the person the program is looking for .

Make sure that you begin your answer to each question on your application form with a sentence that:

• includes words and phrases from the question, and
• uses strong and definitive “I am” language

3. Supercharge your opening statements using the most persuasive word in the English language

Here’s how to go one better and make the opening statements in your student exchange application virtually unstoppable:

Work the word “because” into each of your statements.

In his best-selling book Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion , Dr Robert Cialdini identifies the word “because” as the most persuasive word known to man. For some reason, people are very easily persuaded by sentences and questions containing the word “because”.

What does this mean for you?

You need to capture the strong, almost hypnotic power of the word “because” and put it to work in your application.

Specifically, try to  work the word “because” into each of your strong statements in order to make the reasons and statements that follow seem more convincing .

So, the introductory words we looked at earlier would change from:

I am a flexible person because I have displayed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances

It’s just a small linguistic change, but one which should have a big impact on the effectiveness of your application.

4. Make your application the best of the bunch by supporting your statements with facts, and only facts

Now, let me help you avoid making a big mistake.

Once you’ve made your bold statement to begin each answer in your student exchange application, you need hard evidence to back it up.

There are several kinds of evidence you could use to support the statements you make in your application, such as:

• Facts – for example, “I have studied German for five years” or “I am the editor of my high school’s yearbook”
• Intentions – for example, “I plan to take an intensive German course this spring” or “I will be volunteering at a Camp Kesem camp this summer”
• Interests – for example, “I have always been interested in German history” or “I am passionate about European politics”
• Opinions – for example, “German would be a very useful language for me to learn” and “I believe that I would make a good host daughter”

The strongest of those options by an absolute mile is facts .

In fact, if you want to knock your competitors out of the ballpark, you should only use facts to back up the statements in your application.

Why are facts so powerful?

Because they are indisputable and verifiable.

In other words, they are evidence of what you have done . That is far more valuable and credible than evidence about things you would like to do or are planning to do.

Furthermore, if you only use facts in your application, you won’t sound like you’re bragging or big-noting yourself. All you’re doing is talking about factual events that have already happened.

I almost guarantee that your competitors will be using all the other, weaker types of evidence, and submitting far weaker applications as a result.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Stay gold, and stick to the facts.

5. Gather your ammunition

Here’s a useful exercise you can use to maximise the number of strong, convincing facts in your student exchange application.

Before you even start writing your application, sit down with a blank piece of paper.

Spend half an hour writing down every single positive fact you can think of which may be relevant to your exchange application, including:

• leadership positions you’ve held
• academic successes you’ve had (for example, a high GPA or any academic awards)
• evidence that you are a good citizen (such as previous volunteer work, participation in things like scouts, and even regular blood donations)
• prior relevant experience such as previous short-stay exchanges
• any language experience – not necessarily in the language of the country you’d like to exchange to
• anything showing your adaptability
• anything demonstrating your coolness under pressure

Don’t stop writing until you’ve filled up the whole page, then go away for 24 hours.

The next day, sit down with your list and add anything else you’ve thought about in the meantime.

You want to capture absolutely any and every positive fact about yourself.

Then, when you sit down to write your application, you’ll have a ready-made stash of hard, factual evidence you can use to support your strong statements.

Then, you can move on to step 6.

6. Make sure you finish on top by playing your trump card

So, by now you have some very strong and positive statements written, and a mountain of factual evidence to support those statements.

Here’s how to seal the deal.

You need a trump card – something you’ve done which no-one else has, which makes you stand out and tells the exchange program that you are willing to go further than your competitors.

Even if everyone else is giving 100% effort, your trump card will push you to 110%. And I virtually guarantee that an exchange program will choose 110% over 100% any day of the week.

Let me show you exactly what I mean.

Case study: how I got beaten fair and square by a trump card

When I applied to go on exchange, my first choice country was Germany .

Germany is always a popular exchange destination because so many people learn German at school.

However, I thought I was in with a good chance for the following reasons:

• I was the current vice-captain (vice president) of my high school, which was one of the best schools in the region
• I was on the school debate team, editor of the school yearbook, and had a stack of other leadership and community service credentials
• I had a strong academic record, which included five years of studying German

My written application was very strong, and I thought I had a great interview with representatives from the exchange program.

I thought I had Germany in the bag.

Then, I got trumped: I got my second choice country, Switzerland, and a girl called Jessica was chosen to go on exchange to Germany.

(Switzerland turned out great, by the way, but that’s another story).

What did Jessica do that gave her the edge over me?

Like me, she was well-credentialed, had good academics and had previously studied German.

Like me, she evidently also had a strong application and made a good impression at her interview.

Unlike me, however, Jessica had undertaken an unpaid internship at her city’s German chamber of commerce and gotten a letter of recommendation from the head of the chamber. She forwarded that letter along with her application.

That was an extremely smart and strong trump card, which sent the message that Jessica was super-serious about going to Germany. It was enough to push her in front of me and everyone else wanting to go to Germany.

Jessica thought outside the box and was rewarded with her first choice of country to exchange to.

Now let me tell you how to get your own trump card.

Four trump card ideas

Jessica’s trump card idea of working at her local German chamber of commerce was a good one, because it demonstrated how committed she was to exchanging to Germany.

If you have a few months before your application is due, you can try to arrange something similar, depending upon the organisations and groups located in your area.

For example, where we live, there is:

• a nursing home for elderly  Italian people
• a chapter of the American-Australian association
• a twin cities association managing the relationship with our twin city Versailles, in France,  and
• a German language library and resources centre which is staffed by volunteers

Some unpaid volunteer work at any of those institutions would combine charity work and a country-specific trump card that would be hard for any exchange organisation to resist.

Think about similar opportunities which exist in your city or region, and turn one into a great trump card.

Short-notice trump card

You might have a problem:

Internships and volunteer work take time to organise and undertake.

What can you do if you’re in the throes of writing your application and need a trump card within the next week or two?

Here’s a quickly actionable trump card idea that you can deploy if you’re short of time (or no other suitable trump cards seem to be available in your area):

Get a letter of recommendation from your local mayor or congressman

Politicians are nearly always big on diplomacy and promoting the region they represent.

They also love it when one of their constituents receives an award or recognition of some kind, because it reflects well on them.

Here’s how to use these traits to your advantage:

Try making an appointment with your local mayor or congressman.

Explain that you are applying for an exchange program and spend half an hour outlining some of your credentials to him or her.

Then, very politely ask him or her for a letter of recommendation, on official letterhead.

In exchange, offer to make yourself available for a photo opportunity if you are chosen to go on exchange, and be sure to keep that promise if you are successful.

His or her answer will nearly certainly be “yes”.

A letter of recommendation from a recognised political figure can open a surprising number of doors.

The exchange program may figure that if you’ve met and made a good impression on your congressman or mayor, you’ll make a good impression on people that you’ll meet overseas.

7. For maximum impact, put your strongest evidence first

Here’s a strange little fact:

The average adult now has an attention span of only 8.25 seconds .

Furthermore, according to a study cited by Forbes magazine, the average adult reads at a speed of about 300 words per minute .

T he person reading your student exchange application will probably only focus on the first 40-45 words of each answer you give before starting to lose focus .

That, in turn, means that you need to do two things:

First, use your strongest evidence first . Once you’ve made your strong statement for each answer, follow up with the strongest fact or evidence you have to support that statement. Because you’ve only got one or two sentences before your audience starts to lose attention, you need to fill those first few sentences with your best stuff.

Second, keep your sentences short . From a readability perspective, it’s already good practice to keep your sentences to a length of around 20 words each. Keeping your sentences short and to the point – and not filling them with unnecessary things like adjectives – will also help you to maximise the amount of information you get across in your application before the person reading it loses concentration.

8. Use these three tools to make your student exchange application a pleasure to read

The person reading your student exchange application may have dozens of written applications to read.

How do you make yours stand out?

You may be surprised to hear that one of the easiest ways to make a good impression through your application is to make it easy to read.

Here are three tools that will make your application an easy and pleasurable read:

Tool 1: Short sentences

By all means, use as many facts to support your application as you feel are relevant.

But, be sure to keep your sentences short when describing those facts.

The reason for doing this is simple:

Long sentences are tiring for a reader and can result in your core messages getting lost.

Make sure you don’t bury your high-quality content under lots of unnecessary verbiage.

• minimise your use of colons and semi-colons
• don’t use connecting words like “which” and “that” unless you absolutely have to
• aim for one sentence per idea or example you wish to make, and
• try to keep your sentences shorter than 20 words, and no longer than 30 words

Tool 2: A font which is easy and pleasant to read

If your student exchange application is typed rather than hand-written, and you can control the font, make it more readable by applying the following font rules.

Use at least 13-point font , and preferably 14-point . The default on many word processors is 12-point which is too low and can cause eye fatigue.

Use 1.5 point line spacing , to increase the gap between lines and make them easier and more pleasant to read.

Use a plain, no-nonsense typeface like Times New Roman or Arial , which won’t distract or annoy the person reading your application, and let them focus on your content.

Tool 3: Use the active voice, and minimise the passive voice

Write as much of your student exchange application in the active voice as possible, and avoid writing in the passive voice.

What’s the difference?

A sentence written in the passive voice has no subject – that is, no person doing the verb.

For example, the following sentence is in the passive voice:

I was voted class president last year.

Now here’s the same sentence in the active voice:

My classmates voted me class president last year.

In the first sentence, it isn’t immediately apparent who voted for the narrator to be class president. The second – active voice – sentence contains the subject “my classmates”, which makes this clear.

You need to avoid writing in the passive voice, and write your entire student exchange application in the active voice instead, because:

• Readers tire when they have to read a lot of sentences written in the passive voice
• The person reading your application may recognise your use of the passive voice – particularly if they are older than about 45, or have a lot of experience with linguistics or learning languages – and mark you down for writing incorrectly
• The active voice helps to minimise any ambiguity

If you already have great content, applying these three tools will help your application make an even more positive impression and increase your chances of success.

9. Make your student exchange application twice as strong by getting not one, but TWO experts to read it

This may be the most important tip on this page:

Once your exchange program application is written, you need to ask two very specific people to proof-read and evaluate it for you.

“But wait,” you say. “I’ve already lined up my mom/dad/best friend to read my application and make suggestions”.

Unfortunately, that won’t work. Here’s why:

• your family and friends are unlikely to give you honest feedback – that is, they will tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear, in order to spare your feelings
• they won’t necessarily have any insight into what the exchange program will be looking for , and
• they are unlikely to have the technical expertise to make your answers read well

Here’s a better idea:

Get two people with specific, relevant experience and skills to review and make comments on your application.

Expert 1 – A trusted teacher at your school

First of all, you need to ask a teacher at your school who you know well and are friendly with to take a look at your student exchange application.

Why a teacher?

Firstly, because teachers spend a good part of each day evaluating work that their students have written. They are practised at reviewing documents and providing honest but constructive feedback.

In other words, the teacher you ask will most likely give you genuine, actionable tips on how to improve your application.

The second reason is that the teacher will know you and be familiar with your personality, and may be able to suggest additional information that will enhance the content of your application.

The final reason is that teachers generally have a practised eye for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and the like. Your teacher should be able to ensure that your application contains no errors which will detract from the effectiveness of the content.

Expert 2 – A former exchange student

The second person you need to show your student exchange application to is a former exchange student at your school who you know and are friendly with.

It doesn’t matter which exchange student program he or she travelled with, or which country he or she went to.

The reason for asking this person to look at your application is simple:

He or she will know what it takes to be a successful exchange student, and should be able to offer advice on the contents of your application which will make it more appealing to the exchange organisation.

The student should also be able to coach and advise you on the application process generally, including the application interview, which I’ll also deal with in my next post.

If you have any further tips or questions about filling out an exchange program application, you can leave them in the comments below.

Related Posts

Please share

• See all Countries
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Online Learning

Writing a Personal Statement for Studying Abroad

When you are applying for a study abroad program you may be asked to write a personal statement. If you aren’t sure about what a personal statement is, what it looks like, or what it includes, you can find out right here with our guide to writing a personal statement…

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is often the only opportunity you have to set yourself apart from all the other applicants who also want to study your chosen course. Many admissions officers use it to make their final decision on a shortlist of candidates. Primarily it is a way for them to find out the reasons behind your application answers but they will also want to know what makes you unique. What will you bring to your class that is different? You need to convey your enthusiasm for the subject making sure you give an honest explanation.

You may also need to write a personal statement for a scholarship application, which could mean the difference between studying and not. There is no need to panic though as writing a personal statement for studying abroad is not as hard as it sounds. Just follow our guide and you’ll have a great statement in no time.

What does a personal statement look like?

Most personal statements are just one or two pages that focus on one or two clear themes, and give an in depth explanation of your abilities or interests in that area. Don’t try to fit in your entire life story or all of your achievements, as this will waste valuable space.

The best personal statements have a clear structure – a compelling introduction, between two and five body paragraphs that give solid reasons or explanations for studying, and a strong conclusion. But before you start writing, make sure you read any instructions that were sent. Not all personal statements are the same so be sure to check what your admissions office requires. Once you know what they require, make sure you keep to that format – if they want two A4 pages double-spaced, then don’t send in four pages. If they ask you to answer three specific questions, do so clearly. Otherwise your statement could be rejected before it has even been read.

What does a personal statement include?

• A strong introduction
• A summary of your achievements
• Details of your skills and abilities
• An explanation of why you would be a good fit for the degree or scholarship
• A conclusion that rounds out your statement nicely and brings it all together

Introduction

Your introduction needs to grab the reader’s attention. It sets the tone for the rest of the statement. Avoid clichés or long-winded explanations. Instead, spark their interest and get to the point – in just one paragraph. Because the introduction is so important, you may want to write it last. That’s OK!

In the body of your personal statement, you need to demonstrate some reasons behind your theme. Think of this as an argument, just like an essay – and just like an essay, you should back up all of your statements. Don’t just state your achievements, explain what is behind them, giving examples of when you have shown certain abilities or skills, as this adds credibility to your argument and can make a big difference in making your statement stand out from the crowd.  You are trying to persuade the reader that you are the best possible student for this class or scholarship so it’s also a good place to mention achievements that you were unable to include in your main application, but only if they are relevant.

Your conclusion needs to flow from the rest of the copy. An attention-grabbing sentence at the end will help give impact to your statement, so be sure you emphasise your desire to study. You may wish to include a specific reason for choosing that university in your conclusion – some unique feature that ties in with the points you have outlined on your goals and experience. It’s a good way to show that you have researched that institution, and that this is not just a generic statement.

Whenever possible, leave your statement overnight and then look at it again with fresh eyes. Check that it flows well and ensure there are no grammar and spelling mistakes. Now you’re ready to show it to some friends and relatives asking them for constructive feedback. A second point of view can really add to your statement and is well worth taking the effort. Personal statements are so important and could be the reason for your application to the institution or scholarship failing.

If you’re not confident about your English ability, ask a fluent English speaker to proofread it. This is critical, as your personal statement demonstrates your ability to write and communicate in English when you study. For many admissions officers, clear English is the first thing they look for.

A good writer always thinks about the reader’s point of view. In this case, the admissions officer may have only two minutes to review your statement. He or she may read thousands during the admissions process. So keep it clear, simple and to the point.

SEE MORE:  10 reasons your scholarship application may fail

Following this guide will help you to write an excellent personal statement. If you are still unsure of the course you wish to apply for, you can use our course search tool at the top of the page to find your ideal university.

Related topics

• International Study Advice
• International Study Visas
• English Language Testing for International Students
• Funding and Scholarships for International Students
• How will studying abroad help your career prospects?

Search for courses now

The latest articles on studylink.com.

The latest articles from study abroad providers and StudyLink.com to hep you on your study abroad journey.

Constructor University

London Film School

SOAS University of London

Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT)

Alba Graduate Business School

Fontys Academy for the Creative Economy

International study advice

Read our key advice article to help you make the best decision for your education and start your International study adventure.

In this article we look at how to approach choosing where in the world you would like to study.

Read StudyLink's suggestions on your first steps when deciding where to study abroad, with helpful tips to make your decision easier.

Find out more about English language tests, your options and what is required as an overseas student.

StudyLink.com take a detailed look into the costs of studying abroad and all the aspects that you should budget for when embarking on your studies.

We answer 10 common questions about applying for a student visa to help make your visa application quick and easy.

Find out more about international student visas for studying abroad, as well as how, where and when to apply for yours.

Find out more about funding and scholarships for international students, and what financial assistance might be available to you.

How to choose a course that fits you? Check our top tips on choosing which course is best for you to help you make an informed decision.

Sign up to StudyLink.com

Sign up to StudyLink.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.

Student Exchange Program Essay: Examples, Topics, & Tips

It is not a secret that for every open slot at a prestigious college, there are from 10 to 15 eager applicants. They often seem equally qualified academically.

However, it is often the college application essay that sets one lucky applicant apart from the others. While writing is very personal, and styles can vary, the college application mistakes that students tend to make are common. So if you want to find out 10 college application mistakes to avoid, just read this article by Custom Writing experts!

Want to succeed? Just keep reading this article by Custom Writing experts!

• ✅ What to Include
• 👣 Writing Steps
• 💡 Essay Topics
• 👀 Essay Sample

🔗 References

✅ student exchange program essay: what to include.

The following information should be included in a good student exchange essay.

To make your essay really strong, try our hints for writing motivation essays and a personal essay .

👣 Student Exchange Program Essay: Writing Steps

Outshine the other applicants by writing an excellent student exchange essay that demonstrates your ability to think intelligently and express yourself in writing! The process of writing an impressive exchange application essay is not as complicated as you might think.

Here are the writing steps that will help you write a thoughtful, convincing, and concise exchange application essay.

💡 Student Exchange Program (FLEX) Essay Topics

• Many students have experiences, identity, or talent that define their character and life. Their application for FLEX would be incomplete without it. Please share your story if it sounds like you . You can find an exchange student essay on this topic below.
• Our success in studies, personal life , and career owes to the lessons learned through overcoming obstacles. Have you ever faced a failure, challenge, or setback that made you stronger and smarter? How did it affect you, and what conclusions did you make?
• Recall a hard problem you had to solve or the one you are still struggling with. For example, it can be a complicated assignment, an intellectual challenge, or an ethical dilemma. Why is it so critical to you? Which steps did you take or could take to find a solution?
• Reflect on a belief or idea that you felt was wrong. Why did you question it? What result did you reach in these thoughts?
• Our accomplishments and realizations spark a new understanding of life and personal growth . Tell about a similar event that changed the way you perceive yourself and others.
• Describe an idea or topic that is engaging enough to make you lose track of time. Why is it so captivating? What actions do you make to learn more in this field?

👀 Study Abroad Essay Sample

Every person has a talent. It takes a while to discover it, but life becomes similar to an engaging strategy game once you know your vocation. My parents never insisted on my selecting a path. I tried many hobbies and activities, but none of them lasted longer than a year.

Four years ago, I attended my first botany class. At that moment, I understood that it was something I would like to study deeper. So many plants surround us, and we are ignorant of their names and life cycles. This knowledge gives us an opportunity to understand our role on the planet and explore how we can help nature.

This year, I asked myself: what do I want to do in my future life? It didn’t take long to answer. I would like to become a pharmacologist and develop new medicines. But at the moment, I need to study hard. I expect that the study abroad program will allow me to learn more about American culture and make me more open-minded.

As an international student, I will have a chance to perfect my biology knowledge at an American school. I can tell a lot about trees, flowers, and grass, as well as the animals and birds that live in them. That is why I will always have a topic to discuss with my host family and peers. I am looking forward to meeting new people and experiences.

Your student exchange application essay can be the deciding factor for your selection and participation in the student exchange program. There is no doubt that your student exchange essay can be a good indicator of your personality. Make every effort to communicate your enthusiasm for studying abroad and let the student exchange program officials learn about your unique qualities. Also, don’t be shy to use every bit of help that you may require. For instance, try a summary helper if you struggle to finish up your writing properly, get someone to proofread your writing in case you’re not sure if it’s perfect, and so on.

Remember that studying abroad is a life-changing experience that will impact your college career. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future. Start your journey today with a strongly written and carefully proofread student exchange essay. We promise it will make a difference!

✏️ Student Exchange Essay FAQ

If you write an application for a scholarship, it is crucial that your study abroad essay tells about your personal motivation to participate in the exchange program. Otherwise, you may focus on the general pros and cons of the experience.

When you start a personal statement, keep in mind that it is the way admission committees get to know you. Make sure to provide relevant info about your goals , passions , examples of personal accomplishments , etc.

If it is a welcome letter to a foreign student, express how glad you are to meet them. You may give some advice on how to adapt to the new environment, share your thoughts about the exchange program, and ask about the student’s feelings and impressions .

Some advantages of becoming a foreign exchange student are: broadening your horizons , getting off your comfort zone, making new friends, practicing foreign languages (if applicable), gaining new skills/knowledge. Overall, it is an excellent opportunity to experience something new and valuable.

• 25 Reasons to Study Abroad | Top Universities
• Exchange Programs | U.S. Department of State
• EU students | European Commission
• Student Exchange Programs | EF Foreign Exchange
• International Student Exchange Programs
• 8 Student Exchange Programs for Teens | GoAbroad.com
• How to apply – International Exchange and Study Abroad
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

The contest is now closed. Please check Contest Results page to read the essay of the best paper writer. Custom Writing team has selected 15 best works among the submissions, and we gladly invite our blog readers to help us determine three most talented writers amid contest participants.

Writing an internship essay is a challenging task that plenty of people have to endure. It is essential for gaining useful experience and learning the ins and outs of a given industry. You have probably heard about the “Why do you want this internship?” essay. However, it’s not the only...

CChoosing majors in college is a challenge for any student. If you’re reading this, we’re guessing you understand the seriousness and consequences of this decision. Custom-writing experts have compiled the following list of top 10 easiest and hardest college majors throughout the country. Check out our list of college degrees...

Do you think 8 a.m. classes are the worst college rule educators could think of? Then keep reading this article by Custom Writing experts! Check the weirdest rules of the strictest colleges in the US & around the globe. As you’ll see, a university doesn’t have to be super religious...

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,” states a famous saying by Paulo Coelho. Now you probably want a scholarship, don’t you? If not the whole universe, at least the Internet helps you achieve this goal, by providing these three amazing scholarship essay...

One of the biggest decisions students make when attending college, university, or graduate school is whether to live off-campus in an apartment or whether to live in a dorm room. For those who have the option, though, there are many considerations that can help determine whether apartment living or dorm...

A scholarship essay is one of the most important essays you might have written in your life! No wonder your own budget depends on how successful it is! But we are not here to make you even more worried about this task. This article by Custom-Writing experts can help you...

Unfortunately, not everyone striving for education can afford it. Some courses are so expensive that even well-to-do citizens need financial assistance. They can write a scholarship application letter or refuse the undertaking. In such a case, students are supposed to submit a financial need essay.   Funding authorities cannot assist...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and criticism, constantly feeling as though you’re not good enough? Since social rejection poses a genuine threat to our existence, our self-criticism steps in to protect us by shaming us before others can. It makes us feel inadequate to...

Have you ever struggled to remember the lecture you’ve just listened to while effortlessly recalling a catchy song from your childhood? Ever wonder why is it so? The information processing theory offers a glimpse into these processes. By delving into it, you can grasp how our brains tackle information and...

Disclaimer: Since we are true proponents of experiential learning, our introduction starts with an example, and the theory will come later. Pretty much everyone likes a chamomile plant. If you are one of the few who don’t, feel free to think of any other plant while you consider these two...

Do you ever find yourself procrastinating, struggling to stay motivated and pursue your goals? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, what we know as laziness, it is often a fear of failure, the pressure of high expectations, or a simple need for relaxation. These issues are so common today...

Really valid and sensible . Great work. I hope it will help alot

Thank you very much, I also wanted to participate in flex program, but I didn’t understand much about Essay and I understood a lot after seeing this sample

Hello, I am from Uzbekistan. I want to participate in the student exchange program in the USA. How is this test administered? Online or face-to-face and where? And what knowledge should be acquired to participate in the program

This was an useful blog for our institute

How long should a exchange essay be?

Your essay should be up to one page in length if not otherwise required by your professor

Hello. Please help me with my essay. I can not pay. Can you send me some sample essays, please?

It is very helpful thanks.

Good techniques

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

College essays

• College essay examples
• College essay format
• College essay style
• College essay length
• Diversity essays
• Scholarship essays

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Avoiding repetition
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Dissertation outline
• Thesis acknowledgements
• Burned or burnt
• Canceled or cancelled
• Dreamt or dreamed
• Gray or grey
• Theater vs theatre

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, July 03). How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved June 24, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/graduate-school/personal-statement/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a graduate school resume | template & example, how (and who) to ask for a letter of recommendation, master's vs phd | a complete guide to the differences, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

Personal statement for exchange program [closed]

I'll apply for exchange program and i need write reasons for applying and I'm not native speaker. So I would like as that is there any mistake in my personal statement or is it understandable?

"My main reason for participating in a student exchange is to experience my profession and to upgrade my skills by using maximum opportunities within different distant education. Since METU listed among the top 200 universities in Engineering and Technology, it will help me to expand my knowledge in IT field. Also I would like to get familiar with world education system and gain life experience."

• meaning-in-context
• Welcome to EL&U. We are neither a proofreading service nor a writers workshop, though we can help you work through specific points of grammar or usage that confuse you. Please take the site tour and review the help center for additional guidance on how to use this site. –  choster Commented Oct 1, 2015 at 2:57

I would change it to this:

"My main reason for participating in a student exchange program is to have an experience that would be a huge aid towards my profession. Also, I believe a student exchange program could upgrade my skills through the many opportunities that would be provided. Since METU is listed among the top 200 universities in Engineering and Technology, it will help me to expand my knowledge in the IT field. Moreover, I would like to acquire more information about the different world education systems. Lastly, this student exchange program will allow me to gain experience in life and play a crucial role in improving the person in which I have become."

This is just to my taste. I'm not sure what you meant by "by using maximum opportunities within different distant education," but hopefully, I got the idea!! :D

• Proofreading is off-topic for EL&U. –  Drew Commented Sep 30, 2015 at 17:26
• Featured on Meta
• Upcoming sign-up experiments related to tags

Hot Network Questions

• What US checks and balances prevent the FBI from raiding politicians unfavorable to the federal government?
• How fast would unrest spread in the Middle Ages?
• Medical - Must use corrective lens(es)…
• Clear jel to thicken the filling of a key lime pie?
• I'm on a windows 10 machine and trying desperately to see when the last dns flush took place
• Paris Taxi with children seats (from and to airport)
• Looking for a caveman-discovers-fire short story that is a pun on "nuclear" power
• What is a "general" relation algebra?
• Is the new series for 𝜋 a Big (or even Medium) Deal?
• Can apophatic theology offer a coherent resolution to the "problem of the creator of God"?
• Who is Maud here?
• Is zip tie a durable way to carry a spare tube on a frame?
• Is there an explicit construction of a Lebesgue-measurable set which is not a Borel set?
• Who is a "sibling"?
• What is a curate in English scone culture?
• RAW, do transparent obstacles generally grant Total Cover?
• Can a unique position be deduced if pieces are replaced by checkers (can see piece color but not type)
• Fitting Eigenvalues of a 8*8 matrix to experimental data
• Isn't it problematic to look at the data to decide to use a parametric vs. non-parametric test?
• Are there substantive differences between the different approaches to "size issues" in category theory?
• Are there really half-a billion visible supernovae exploding all the time?
• Is this professor being unnecessarily harsh or did I actually make a mistake?
• Are 1/20 undocumented immigrants married to American citizens?
• A puzzle from YOU to ME ;)

HKU Worldwide Student Exchange

The HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme (HKUWW) provides exchange places from partner institutions (or host institutions) of the University for one or two semester(s). Applications to HKUWW should be made via the International Affairs Office (IAO). After an HKUWW applicant has been offered a place at a particular host institution, the applicant will be nominated by IAO to the host institution and instructed to submit an application to the institution for admission to the exchange programme.

Application Details

• List of Exchange Institutions - HKUWW 2024-25 (2nd Late Round)
• HKUWW Online Application Guide
• Students are advised to read the details carefully on  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for background information
• Application period of HKUWW 2024-25 (2nd Late Round): May 3 to 10, 2024 (23:59)

Eligibility Criteria

• those enrolling in the second-to-last or last semester in the current year are NOT allowed to apply; and
• Year 2 or above students will be given higher placement priority than Year 1 students
• Not joined any previous semester exchange programmes or special visiting programmes organised by IAO, faculties or departments 
• students with a CGPA of 3.0 or above have a relatively higher chance of getting a placement in the programme
• An overall band of 6.5 or better in IELTS Academic Module in the same attempt
• A score of 93 or better in the TOEFL internet-based test/ TOEFL iBT Home Edition in the same attempt
• Supported by the applicant’s faculty
• Outgoing and eager to meet new challenges
• Ready to be an ambassador of HKU
• Willing to share exchange experiences after the study 

Selection of Host Institutions

You are suggested to research the available host institutions and read through the institution details and fact sheets. You should consider the following criteria of respective host institutions for your application:

• CGPA requirement
• Restrictions on major and year of study
• Courses offered – credit transfer subject to approval by your faculty
• English language requirement – which could be higher than IAO’s requirements
• Medium of instruction at the institution and language use in the country
• Academic calendar – whether there will be any clash throughout the semester

Assessment Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on the following:

• Academic performance (CGPA as of Semester 1 in the year of application) 
• Personal statement
• English language proficiency
• Interview performance (if applicable) - applicants will receive an interview invitation if applicable
• Personal Statement

It is essential to state your reasons for why you would like to join this exchange programme, so we get to know more about you and whether you are fit and qualified for going to a specific country and institution. Please write 100 words by including the following. It is expected that you are able to present your ideas and demonstrate your writing skills with condensed and precise vocabulary.

• Reason(s) why you apply for this study abroad programme
• Reason(s) why you put the preferred institution as your first choice
• Reason(s) why you put the preferred country as your first choice
• Reason(s) why you apply for full-year exchange (if applicable) – since the quota for full-year exchange is limited, you need to explain clearly why you should be considered  

English Proficiency

You are required to upload valid English proficiency proof to the online application system on or before the deadline. Without the proper proof, you will not be eligible for being nominated to the institutions which require specific English proficiency test results.

• IELTS – please submit a copy of the IELTS test result
• TOEFL – please submit a copy of the TOEFL test result

The English proficiency proof should be valid until the host institution's application deadline.

• If your existing proof is valid until the HKUWW application deadline, you may submit the proof as a supporting document. Please arrange to retake the language test in due course for the host institution. In view of the limited available timeslots for IELTS or TOEFL tests, you should schedule to take/re-take the test as soon as possible.
• English proficiency proof is required for all applications. If you graduated from an international or overseas high school, you may submit IB / SAT / GCSE or other international qualifications. Subject to the respective host institution's recognition, students may sometimes be required to submit IELTS / TOEFL results as the host institution's application.

Application Timeline  (2024/25)

Nomination and Application to the Host Institution (2024/25)

Exchange Placement

All applications are reviewed carefully according to students' academic performance, personal statement, English proficiency level, major as well as the host institutions' requirements.

• The student who receives an offer from HKU Worldwide Student Exchange Programme should indicate on the system whether he/she accepts or declines the exchange offer.
• The student who receives an offer from the Faculty/Department should accept the offer through the respective Faculty/Department. 

How to Accept an Exchange Offer

Step 1 - Pay HK$2,000 Deposit

• Follow the Deposit Payment Instructions  to pay the HK$2,000 deposit
• Remember to save the payment proof
• Bank drafts or personal cheques are not acceptable
• The deposit is refundable if all the followings are fulfilled:
• Successfully admitted to the host institution
• Successfully registered to the host institution
• Completion of the programme in accordance with all the conditions listed on the Letter of Acceptance
• Submission of Exchange Report
• No refund can be arranged if students withdraw from the programme after the acceptance

Step 2 - Read the Letter of Acceptance and Fill in Reply Slip

• Read the  Letter of Acceptance  carefully
• Complete Reply Slip (Page 4)
• Check and make sure all personal information is submitted accurately
• The type-written electronic signature is acceptable
• Insert deposit payment proof to the designated area (Page 5)
• Save and convert the Letter of Acceptance into one PDF file

Step 3 – Accept the Offer through the Application System

• Login to the  Outgoing Application System  and choose the correct application
• Upload the PDF file (Letter of Acceptance) to the system
• On the system, click “Accept” the green button to accept the offer
• Click "OK" to confirm the offer

How to Decline the Exchange Offer

• On the system, click “Decline” the red button to decline the offer
• A student who declines the exchange offer in the main round may enter the late-round applications

Important Notes

• Late submissions will not be considered
• Acceptance without deposit payment will not be accepted
• If you receive an offer from your faculty or department, please accept the offer through the respective Faculty/Department.

What’s Next

• A student who has accepted an exchange offer is deemed a nominee meaning that he/she will be nominated by HKU to the specified host institution. The final decision of admission will be at the discretion of the host institution.
• For the nominees of 2024/25 Semester 1 or Full Year, IAO's exchange coordinator will contact you directly regarding the nomination and application procedure. The schedule is tight and please make sure you follow the instructions thoroughly.
• For the nominees of 2024/25 Semester 2. Please expect that IAO's exchange coordinator will contact you at a later time. Please refer to the application timeline for more information.
• Nominees are not advised to make contact with the assigned host institution until the nomination has been confirmed.
• Application procedures may vary from institution to institution. In general, the application can be completed through a paper form or online platform. Nominees should refer to the host institution's factsheet and application details.
• Nominees should prepare all or parts of the following depending on each institution's requirements:
• HKU Official Transcript  [ Login HKU Portal  > Enterprise > SIS > Online Application > Apply for Transcript]
• English Proficiency Proof
• Copy of Passport Particulars Page
• Curriculum Vitae
• Financial Proof
• Passport Size Photo
• Proposed Study Plan

• How we work

11 Ways to Completely Reconstruct Your Erasmus Personal Statement

Succeed in the ERAS application with a catchy personal statement by admission professionals.

WHY CLIENTS HAVE BEEN TRUSTING US FOR 9 YEARS

100% satisfaction or your money back.

We strictly control the quality of our service to guarantee that you get only top-class documents. Nevertheless, if you are not completely satisfied after the delivery of your order, just inform us, and we’ll entitle you to 14 days of cost-free corrections or return your payment without any trouble.

First-timer? Ask for 20% off!

Best-quality guarantee

24/7 instant response

How We Work

Fill out the order form, choose the document type and deadline, attach the completed Questionnaire or other files. You can also give us your instructions later in the Customer Area.

After you provide us with your materials, we will begin working on the order. Track the progress, text your writer, and give extra instructions in the Customer Area.

After our QAD expert checks your doc for compliance with instructions and proofreads it, we’ll notify you by email (or SMS if necessary). Download your order in the Customer Area. If needed, request free edits for 14 days. We’ll instantly start correcting your doc until you approve it.

Our admission experts

Our experts have been writing and editing personal statements for years and know all the dos & don’ts. They are qualified to make content expressive of you and your ideas. All you need is to expect brief, convincing, and cliché-free text.

College, Medical School, Residency, Fellowship, Grad School, PhD

College, Grad School, Business School, PhD

College, Grad School, Law School, PhD

College, Dental School, Nursing School, Medical School, Grad School

College, Grad School, Business School, Law School, PhD

Customer reviews

Read feedback about us and make sure of our reliability.

Personal Statement

Letter of Recommendation

Personal Statement Editing

Admission Essay

Standard Application Package

Advanced Application Package

An Erasmus personal statement is one of the most important document to send to the admission center of Erasmus program if you want to be selected among the many people who want to study abroad. This personal statement will define the outcome of your efforts in becoming the next student to go study abroad, as it works more like an exchange student personal statement. It’s not only important for exchange education but it’s also one of the main MBA abroad requirements. However, going abroad to study is not something easy to do. The most famous international exchange programs in the world will not only ask for an exchange student personal statement or Hult international business school personal statement  but for much more.

So, if you want to know the different important details necessary to apply for an exchange student to Europe or any other continent, you will need to be totally clear in what’s expected. That’s why we have assembled an article with the most important information on how to apply for exchange student and how to write an Erasmus personal statement correctly. Take a look further to find out more!

Benefits of Studying Abroad

The experience of studying abroad is just wonderful, as it offers one of the greatest tool of education that is pure practical experience and different backgrounds from people to learn from. The exchange experience is just intertwined of plenty of features that can be put together in order to achieve great results.

However, the main benefits can be separated in educational, personal and long-term benefits.

Learning in different parts of the world will give students a different approach when it comes to cultural acceptance and perspectives for the outer world that will give a wonderful and most profound understanding of the world.

This also helps in learning new languages and immersing in new ways of learning as it gives the necessary skills for being a more opened person. Even so, it can also help the student to achieve better analytical skills and problem-solving abilities due to the differences experiences the students will be subjected to. Moreover, general knowledge and a broader and more interested understanding of world problems will be achieved thanks to the experience of studying abroad.

When it comes to the personal benefits of studying abroad, these are totally immense to a person. Studying abroad will give multiple personal and social skills to students, especially when it comes to learning to talk to people with different backgrounds.

Also, it will be one wonderful for development in many ways, increasing confidence, self-esteem and helping the student to get out of their comfort zone by increasing their likeness of affronting challenges with more decisive force and fewer doubts.

Plus, an increasing sense of accomplishment and success is felt when the student ends his career, giving more courage to students to develop important self-opinions that also give new goals and eventually help them at taking better life decisions.

The most important benefits at long-term gaining from studying abroad come from being able to live and discover new cultures. This gives students a new perspective on life, plus giving a sensation of comfortability independently of the context the person is going to end up at. This gives a better and more focused mindset to long-term goals, making it easier to make positive decisions in life.

Also, studying abroad gives students a more developed tool of communication that they can use to relate and influence others. With the experience of living abroad, students are more likely to learn things that were totally unknown to them when they were in their native country.

Most Popular International Student Exchange Programs

Among the most popular international student exchange programs we can name a few that have a made a big impact in the world. These are:

Youth for Understanding or YFU as it is also known is a life-changing exchange program that offers the opportunity to study abroad to teen from 15 to 18 years old in a year or less. This opportunity offers students to go to countries like Australia, Belgium, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Belgium, China, and the other 35 countries around the world. Even so, this program doesn’t demand the students to know the language beforehand, as it offers a wonderful academic experience for those who want to learn the language and look for a specialty in the fields of sports, nature, theater or science.

CIEE is a wonderful exchange program that has been working since 1947 offering different opportunities to many students around the world to go study abroad and widen their life experiences. This program works in 11 countries like Germany, France, Ireland, Chile, New Zealand, Spain, and Japan.

This wonderful program also offers the opportunity to have language orientation and help for those who need some in order to avoid emergencies. It is one of the best for the wonderful support the organizers offer to the exchanged students when it comes to eventual happenings.

The Experiment International Living or EIL is one of the greatest international student exchange programs because of the wonderful academic and themed experiences that are not met by any other program in the world. Therefore, students that are chosen to participate in this program tend to go to different places around the world to learn about specific things that are focused on the culture of that country their visiting, making it a more immersive and learning experience that no other program in the world can offer.

The Erasmus Mundus exchange program offers the opportunity to apply for an exchange student program in Europe and partner countries. It is specially designed for students of highest academic achievements, like BAs, MAs, PhDs and even MBAs who want to study abroad and widen their possibilities.

This program also offers a grant, improving the experience for every student who chooses Erasmus and broadening the knowledge and skills of the student.

This list of top student exchange programs in the world was created by ESL – Languages Studies Abroad .

Image credit: Best Colleges Online

What Is Erasmus Mundus Exactly

Erasmus Mundus admission is a program that offers one of the best international exchange programs for students around the world to Europe or within Europe. This program offers an almost free abroad study, where the program takes care of half of the costs for staying abroad. However, there are some tuition fees that have to be paid before being sent to the program, these fees are paid by the home university.

This program is an approach from the EU that offers the opportunity for students of all Europe countries to go study in other countries as an exchange in a way that no other program in the world offers.

Take a look at this video from Stefan Jahnke, President of the Erasmus Student Network, where he talks about the program and how it changed his life.

Image credit: European Commission

Advantages of the Erasmus Mundus Program

One of the best benefits of studying abroad in a number of courses the student can take on another country. This is a basic right for all students who apply for exchange student abroad and gets selected among the luckiest ones. The host universities tend to have a Learning Agreement that has all legal documentation about the courses and academic activities the student was involved in.

Another benefit is the opportunity to learn more from another culture, giving a new social perspective and a new world vision. Also, the student is very likely to learn a new language or improve his knowledge on a second one. However, Erasmus offers a wonderful Online Linguistic Support for those students who don’t know the language of the country they were exchanged with and need some help.

Top Reasons to Become an Exchange Student

Becoming an exchange student in the different International Exchange programs available in the world is not an easy task. However, many people tend to prefer this way of learning as it offers one of the best experiences a student can get in order to become a more professional person when it comes to academic life. Even so, different programs around the world are totally different from others, like the Erasmus Mundus admission which offers the opportunity to travel into a Europe country to study.

These top reasons are:

Exchanging students tend to get more knowledge from traveling to another country to study than studying in their own country. This happens because students are more likely to open their eyes, giving a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not many people are lucky to experience.

Most students who travel abroad to study tend to go prefer countries which the main language in English, like the UK and US. However, there are many other opportunities for those who want a wider experience, offering the opportunity to learn new languages in order to achieve a second language and be later called a bilingual.

Even so, learning a new language can also improve the way people think and behave. This can totally affect the way a person starts to feel about himself, changing their behavior, confidence and even improving their social skills with practice with people from another country, where the student will have to communicate more in order to get things done.

By going to study abroad, a person can develop new skills and learn things about a different culture. This also offers the opportunity of widening the knowledge on a certain field, especially if the student wants to go abroad as a professional. Even so, studying in a different country gives the student more opportunities when it comes to getting a job, as people tend to find abroad studies totally interesting, especially when they are specializations in a specific field.

Yes, studying abroad can seem really expensive, but it is actually really affordable. Even so, many programs around the world offer abroad studies for a really wonderful price, making it totally worth it experience for students who want to widen their knowledge and possibilities.

Moreover, being sent to another country as an exchange student demands of a monthly payment to the home university. This payment will be taken as a tuition fee by the student in order to help him live in another country without having to work if not necessary.

Learn more about the opportunities and benefits from studying in a foreign country by visiting the AFS – Intercultural Programs website.

Source: smart.study

Requirements to Apply for Exchange Student Program

• A full-term attendance or degree in High School or a University with ties to the selected exchange program.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 at least. (A student with a GPA below 2.5 may get canceled for not meeting the requirement).
• Perfect copies of all grades from previous terms.
• An above-average academic standing.
• More than 1 year of studies in the home institution.
• Competent grades.
• No pending probationary status due to misconducts or dishonesties in the institution.
• No financial obligations with the institution.
• No violations of the student code from the institution.
• No probation, parole or any other legal judgment pending.
• A student Visa.
• Language Proficiency test like TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB (depending on the host country and the exchange program).
• Some programs demand the student to make an exchange student personal statement in order to be eligible.

11 Tips to Reconstruct an Erasmus Personal Statement

If you want to be selected for an Erasmus Mundus admission, it is totally important to follow certain rules. However, we’ve created a list with 11 tips to help everyone who wants to go as an exchange student to another country in order to become eligible. These tips are:

• Research your destinations clearly and make a wonderful statement on why you want to go as an exchange student there.
• Be clear on your long-term goals of getting admitted in one student exchange program.
• Try to pick a country in which it will be easier for you to communicate (even though some programs offer language studies for free).
• Make a list of what you think will be more interesting for you of getting a student exchange program opportunity.
• If an exchange student program is not what you want exactly, be clear on your desires.
• You can make clear that you want an internship in another country, to go as a research student, to take short courses or just volunteering.
• Take a good look at the institutions available in your desired country and if the program offers exactly what you want.
• Explain why is it that you decided to apply for an exchange student program in the first place.
• Don’t forget to point out your strengths as a student, especially if you are an advanced one from Bachelor’s up.
• Try to point out the advantages of going to the country of your preference and why did you prefer it in the first place.
• Don’t ever forget to be clear and concise in every statement, without falling into deep explanations and making everything appealing for the admission committee that will take a look at your statement.

A Student Exchange Program Is the Best Way to Learn

Finally, going as an exchange student to another country is one of the best experiences anyone can have in their life. This will teach the person about almost every aspect of life, from the most valuable experiences to every single aspect of personal and professional values. If you want to get selected, you will have to write the best Erasmus personal Statement you can and we can easily help you with your  personal statement edit .

Don’t hesitate in contacting us so we can help you with Erasmus personal statement further!

PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR USEFP SEMESTER EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Personal statement essay.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said rhetoric from people like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is to blame for continued threats against him, after a contentious House hearing Monday where Greene refused to address him with the title of "Doctor."

In the heated House hearing , Greene bashed Fauci for what she claimed was his mishandling of the COVID pandemic and policies such as masks in schools. The controversial Georgia conservative also pointedly refused to refer to Fauci as a doctor, instead using the honorific "Mister."

Fauci led the nation's pandemic response as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 and chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2022. He appeared Monday before members of the House subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic.

Hours after the hearing concluded, Fauci told CNN that Greene is part of the reason he continues to be a target post-COVID and two years after leaving government service .

"Whenever somebody gets up, whether it's a news media – you know Fox News does it a lot – or it's somebody in the Congress who gets up and makes a public statement that I'm responsible for the deaths of X number of people because of policies or some crazy idea that I created the virus, immediately it's like clockwork – the death threats go way up," Fauci said.

While defending himself from Republican lawmakers' accusation-laden questions, Fauci spoke about the threats he, his wife and daughters have received.

"There have been credible death threats leading to the arrests of two individuals and credible death threats means someone who clearly was on their way to kill me," Fauci told the subcommittee.

Later he told CNN exchanges like the one had with Greene – during which she alleged, “That man does not deserve to have a license and in fact he deserves to be in prison" – are an ongoing pattern.

"When you have performances like that unusual performance by Marjorie Taylor Greene in today's hearing," Fauci said, "those are the kind of things that drive up the death threats because there (is) a segment of the population out there that believe that kind of nonsense."

Greene responded with a post on X , formerly Twitter, Tuesday morning.

"It’s not my comments that have people furious at Mr Fauci, it’s the FACT that his ridiculous, non-scientific, tyrannical policies DESTROYED people’s lives," Greene wrote.

Election latest:'You are the problem': Sunak attacks David Tennant - as leaders prepare for debate

Rishi Sunak has hit out at actor David Tennant after the Doctor Who actor criticised Kemi Badenoch. Meanwhile, the betting scandal continues to engulf the campaign as Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer prepare to face off in the final head-to-head debate.

Wednesday 26 June 2024 09:13, UK

• General Election 2024

Betting scandal

• Betting scandal continues to engulf Tories - as leaders prepare for final debate
• Labour candidate suspended after betting against himself
• Sam Coates: Scale of gambling scandal for Tories is different magnitude to Labour's issue
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch
• 'You are the problem': Sunak attacks David Tennant
• Where is the cabinet? Stride speaks to Sky News nine times since start of May
• Listen to Politics at Jack and Sam's  above as you scroll - and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges:  Alliance | Conservatives | DUP | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage:  Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | How to watch election on Sky News

By Greg Milam , chief North of England correspondent

There is a rhythm to a night at the Bolton Interchange.

People dart from arriving buses, racing across the concourse to catch departing ones. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Each rush is followed by a brief lull.

Every night, hundreds of lives intersect at the Bolton Interchange. The night-shift workers and commuters, those out on the town and those just a little bit lost.

Each one has their own story, some are happy to chat, most lose themselves in whatever is playing through their headphones.

I spent a week on the night buses. With the election looming, what the politicians are experiencing on their campaign battle buses is not what ordinary people are seeing. Theirs is a very different perspective.

There is an unmistakeable despair about the state of the country, an indifference to what the political process might do about it and a dark humour about the future. There are very few flickers of optimism.

Read Greg's full report below - and watch it on Sky News at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm, and on The UK Tonight at 8pm.

Rishi Sunak has this morning defended his business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, after actor David Tennant attacked her at an awards ceremony.

The Doctor Who star laid into her position on trans and women's rights while accepting an award for being a celebrity ally at the British LGBT Awards.

He said: "If I'm honest, I'm a little depressed by the fact that acknowledging that everyone has the right to be who they want to be and live their life how they want to live it as long as they're not hurting anyone else should merit any kind of special award or special mention, because it's common sense, isn't it?

"It is human decency. We shouldn't live in a world where that is worth remarking on. However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch doesn't exist any more – I don't wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up – whilst we do live in this world, I am honoured to receive this."

Ms Badenoch defended herself on social media, labelling Mr Tennant a "rich, lefty, white male celebrity", adding: "I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls."

The prime minister has now weighed into the row in defence of his business secretary as he attempts to change the narrative from the gambling scandal engulfing his party.

Mr Sunak wrote on X: "Freedom of speech is the most powerful feature of our democracy.

"If you're calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem."

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard are in your podcast feeds with their guide to the election day ahead.

This is day 35 of the campaign. Jack and Sam discuss the final head-to-head debate - how have the two leaders fared through the campaign?

Also on the agenda - gamblegate, the story that won't die, and Reform going big on net zero - parliament's next big battle.

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack and Sam's wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Since the start of May, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has been on the morning media round a whopping nine times.

As much as we at Sky News enjoy hearing from Mr Stride, there are 22 cabinet ministers - and overall, there are 125 people holding a government job.

To that end, we asked where the rest of the cabinet is, and why they aren't out in public hailing the work of the government under Rishi Sunak.

Mr Stride replied: "Well, I think there's probably a good reason why I'm sent, which is that this election is about tax and also how you're going to fund tax cuts, which is predominantly, in our case, through controlling the welfare budget.

"So I'm the secretary of state for work and pensions, and that includes the welfare budget, which funds about two thirds of the tax cuts that we're bringing in, so I'm often speaking about that."

The chancellor is responsible for the budget, and therefore taxation, but he has been speaking in public far less frequently as he fights to keep his seat in parliament.

But Mr Stride noted that he served as the financial secretary to the Treasury for two years and has a "particular interest and expertise" in that area.

The prime minister yesterday withdrew support from two Tory candidates at the general election amid allegations they placed bets on the date of the election using insider knowledge (they both deny wrongdoing).

Asked if it was a relief action was finally taken, work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said Rishi Sunak has "done exactly the right thing, which is to have conducted internal inquiries within the party to establish enough information to take a decision".

He praised the PM for having "promptly" decided to withdraw support, and said the "process has worked its way through".

Sky's Wilfred Frost noted that the Gambling Commission's investigation was first revealed two weeks ago, and the PM came under huge pressure to take action, and could have acted much sooner.

But Mr Stride said we do not know exactly what process was undertaken internally in the party to reach the decision yesterday to suspend the two candidates.

More broadly, the cabinet minister said it is "disappointing" that we are discussing the gambling scandal with the election just over a week away - although he did accept that this matters "a great deal", and said gambling and "insider dealing" is "utterly wrong and should be condemned in the strongest terms".

But he went on: "There is also, though, a decision that we're going to be taking in a matter of days now about the future governance of our country.

"And we need to be, I think, focusing on a Conservative Party that has got the economy under control, is going to be reducing people's taxes, taking that pressure off them - and a Labour Party that has not explained enough at the moment about the taxing increases we know it's going to be bringing in."

More broadly, Mr Stride said there is a "broader debate to be had about gambling, around politics and politicians' involvement in that, and to try and establish where the line should be drawn".

We've just been speaking with the work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride, and we started by asking about the news that more than 500 Scottish inmates, serving short-term sentences, are due to be released early to ease prison overcrowding (see previous post).

This is also a major issue in England, and Mr Stride insisted that "building more prisons in the longer-term".

He conceded there is "pressure on prison spaces", with around 1,500 remaining at present.

But he said those being released early are not a "danger to society", and the prison governor will have the final say on who is let out early.

We pushed Mr Stride on why the UK Ministry of Justice, that oversees prisons in England and Wales, is not being transparent about the number of people being released early.

He could not say, pointing out that he is the work and pensions secretary, not the justice secretary.

By Connor Gillies , Scotland correspondent

Victims are being taunted by criminals who are being released early from Scotland's prisons today under emergency plans to tackle overcrowding, Sky News has been told.

Jails across the UK are in crisis with governors in England and Wales warning they could run out of space within days.

From this morning, the SNP government in Edinburgh is allowing more than 500 Scottish inmates, serving short-term sentences, out early in a bid to tackle the issue.

Prisoners inside for under four years who have 180 days or less left to serve are being released in waves over the coming weeks across all Scottish prisons.

Sex offenders and domestic abusers are among those exempt, with governors handed a veto.

The charity Victim Support Scotland told Sky News the system will lead to reoffending.

The prison population in Scotland is almost 8,300, more than exceeding the target operating capacity of 8,007.

The Scottish Prison Service insists safety is a priority.

Read more here:

After days of furore directed at Rishi Sunak for the election betting scandal, now a Labour candidate is under investigation by the Gambling Commission for his own betting activity - and is immediately suspended.

Is this an equaliser in one of the grubbiest electoral sagas of recent elections? Quite possibly not.

There is no doubting the utter dismay in Labour HQ at the revelation that they too have a candidate caught up in the betting scandal.

It lends itself to the easy narrative that there's a plague on all politicians' houses - everyone as bad as each other.

However, if the facts are as presented, the scale of the challenge for the Tories is of a different order of magnitude to that now facing Labour.

Read Sam's full analysis here:

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

A Labour candidate has been suspended by the party after betting against himself - with the Gambling Commission launching an investigation into him.

Kevin Craig is running to become the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich - a safe Conservative seat previously held by ex-Tory Dan Poulter, who defected to Labour ahead of the election and is not standing again.

Sky News' chief political correspondent Jon Craig understands the bet was relating to the outcome of the vote in his constituency - and the candidate had actually been betting he would lose the contest.

Labour confirmed Kevin Craig had been suspended by the party - though at this late stage, he will still appear on the ballot paper with "Labour" next to his name.

It is also understood that the party will return £100,000 in donations to the businessman that he has made since Sir Keir Starmer took charge of Labour.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free