best personal statement for international relations

Student Good Guide

The best UK online resource for students

International Relations Personal Statement Example

The personal statement for international relations should emphasize your passion for the field as well as your unique experiences and qualities. The following is an example of an international relations personal statement .

As an avid reader of international news and a participant in Model United Nations conferences, I have long been fascinated by the complexities and challenges of global politics . I am drawn to the field of international relations because it offers a unique perspective on how countries interact with each other and how their decisions impact the world at large.

I believe that the study of international relations is crucial for understanding and addressing the most pressing issues of our time, such as climate change, terrorism, and economic inequality. In particular, I am interested in the role of international organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, in promoting cooperation and resolving conflicts among nations. I am also fascinated by the concept of international law and how it can be used to protect human rights and uphold global standards.

In college, I pursued a major in political science and a minor in economics, taking courses in international relations, comparative politics, and global governance. I have also had the opportunity to intern with the U.S. Department of State, where I assisted in the preparation of briefing materials and provided support to senior officials working on international affairs. This experience has deepened my understanding of the inner workings of the foreign policy process and has reinforced my desire to pursue a career in international relations.

I am now eager to take the next step in my academic and professional journey by pursuing a graduate degree in international relations. I am confident that the knowledge and skills I gain through this program will prepare me to make meaningful contributions to the field and to be a leader in shaping a more peaceful and prosperous world.

International Relations Personal Statement Writing Tips

Read our tips for writing a personal statement for international relations :

• Start by thinking about why you are interested in international relations. What sparked your curiosity about the field? What specific issues or topics are you passionate about? By explaining your motivations and interests, you can give the admissions committee a sense of your personality and why you are a good fit for the program.
• Next, highlight your relevant academic and professional experiences. Have you taken classes in international relations or related subjects? Have you interned or worked in a related field? Be sure to mention any research projects, study abroad experiences, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment to international relations.
• Explain how a graduate degree in international relations will help you achieve your career goals. What do you hope to do after you graduate? How will this program prepare you to succeed in your chosen field?
• Keep your writing clear and concise. A personal statement is a short piece of writing, so you will need to be selective about what you include. Avoid overly complex sentences and jargon, and focus on communicating your ideas straightforwardly and engagingly.
• Proofread and edit your statement carefully. A personal statement is a reflection of your writing skills and attention to detail, so it’s important to make sure your statement is free of errors and written. Ask a friend or family member to read over your statement and provide feedback, and be sure to review it yourself multiple times to catch any mistakes.

Personal Statement Examples

• Animal Science Personal Statement Examples
• Anthropology personal statement examples
• Statistics Personal Statements
• PPE Oxford Personal Statement Example
• Classics Personal Statement Examples
• Theology Personal Statement Examples
• Physics Personal Statement Examples
• Chemical Engineering personal statement examples
• Oncology Personal Statement Examples
• Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples
• Earth Sciences Personal Statement Example
• History Personal Statement Examples
• Veterinary Personal Statement Examples For University
• Civil Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• User Experience Design Personal Statement Example
• Finance Personal Statement Examples
• Neuroscience Personal Statement Examples
• Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples
• Film Production Personal Statement Examples
• Events Management Personal Statement Examples
• Counselling Personal Statement Examples
• Forensic Science Personal Statement Examples
• Children’s Nursing Personal Statement Examples
• Chemistry Personal Statement Examples
• Sports Science Personal Statement Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Quantity Surveying Personal Statement Examples
• Social Work Personal Statement Examples
• Physiotherapy Personal Statement Examples
• Journalism Personal Statement Examples
• English Literature Personal Statement Examples
• Marketing Personal Statement Examples
• Computer Science Personal Statement Examples
• Fashion Marketing Personal Statement Examples
• Dietetic Personal Statement Examples
• Product Design Personal Statement Examples
• Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Geography Personal Statement Examples
• Business Management Personal Statement Examples

Sample International Relations Personal Statement (Columbia, Cornell, Kings)

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

The following essay is written by an applicant who got accepted to top graduate programs in international relations and affairs (Masters in IR). Variations of this personal statement got accepted at Columbia’s SIPA school, Cornell’s ILR school and Kings College London. Read this essay to understand what a top personal statement in international relations and affairs should look like.

Sample Personal Statement in International Relations and Affairs

After GCE A-levels, I was so smitten with Economics that I wanted it to stay with me for life. As it happens to be, that did turn out to be true. I received a scholarship to the London School of Economics (LSE) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. While at the LSE, I developed an interest in economic research. I interned at the Center for Economic Research in Washington, DC, every summer for four years. My work in DC was based on Evidence-Based Procurement Reforms. The project aimed to evaluate public sector institutes’ procurement process to increase efficiency in their procurement workflow. The fieldwork required me to work with government officials and help them digitize the procurement process. I realized that even though the officials wanted public sector organizations to work efficiently, such changes were not easy to bring unless better policies were designed.

During my junior year at LSE, I worked as a research assistant at the Center for Research in Economics and Business (CREB). At CREB, I worked with Professor Antony Bert on a preliminary report to evaluate the impact of microcredit on women in developing countries. The study was conducted in collaboration with a nonprofit, and it helped me see the difference my work could make in the lives of women entrepreneurs.

During my senior year at LSE, I was selected for the Global UGRAD program. My time at Utica College helped me decide where I wanted to proceed with economics. The rich discussions in my “international political economy” and “international relations” classes gave me a lot to think about. I especially remember when I led a seminar on how the West could help the East solve its economic problems. The classroom was an amalgamation of different nationalities, so the varying viewpoints were very interesting.

The thought that developing countries may be a burden for the developed world to bear saddened me. I had previously given little thought to my country’s role in the global economy. It became apparent to me that the resources, even in the wealthiest countries, are scarce, and development is a pressing issue. At the same time, interacting with people from different ethnicities opened my mind to what I needed to do for developing countries. Talking about the problems of developing countries with others motivated me to play my part in making them better, and working for their development, seemed the right place to start.

My fascination with economics grew further when I heard Professor Kaushik Basu, the Chief Economist at World Bank, talk about the challenges facing the South Asian region at the 11th South Asian Economics Students’ Meet (SAESM) in Bhutan. He stated that the South Asian region could greatly benefit from regional integration if its countries overcame problems, such as mutual mistrust, by formulating policies to help eradicate such barriers. This increased my proclivity toward development economics and sparked an interest in studying policymaking.

Recently, I got the opportunity to intern at the Planning and Development Department of India. It was a window for me to peek into the world of policymaking, which did not turn out to be as I had hoped. Millions of dollars were allocated to different projects, yet with no significant improvement in the common man’s life. I became certain that much more is needed to be done to make public policies more effective. For example, there was no proper cost-benefit analysis of projects, and there were instances where funds were tied up in projects due to bureaucratic delays.

I was thrilled to start working as a Research Assistant for a Tax project. As I had become enamored with public policy by now, I was excited to work for evidence-based policy reform. The project intends to strengthen the social relationship between the government and the taxpayers by highlighting the link between property tax revenues and public services. I have been coordinating and working closely with the Excise and Taxation Department and have also been involved in collecting and cleaning taxpayer data. While I am learning a lot here at The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), it has helped me identify the gaps in my knowledge. For example, I lack the econometric skills to analyze public programs and policies.

I hope that graduate studies will help me obtain these skills and tools. I want to pursue a Master’s in International Relations specializing in international development policy, as I want to evaluate third-world countries’ policies in an international setting. My experiences provide a great opportunity to get a graduate degree and experience the cultural exchange experience again, where I can share more experiences from my work with the new people I meet. I hope to return to India better prepared to work on policy analysis by working for developmental organizations and agencies.

WANT MORE AMAZING ARTICLES ON GRAD SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENTS?

• 100+ Outstanding Examples of Personal Statements
• The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Winning Personal Statement
• Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Personal Statement
• Writing a Killer Opening Paragraph for Your Personal Statement
• Ideal Length for a Graduate School Personal Statement
• 100 Inspiring Quotes to Jumpstart Your Personal Statement

Sample Personal Statement for Masters in International Business

Sample Personal Statement for Masters in International Business My journey began amidst the kaleidoscope of Qatar's landscapes, setting the stage for a life attuned to cultural nuances. Transitioning to Riyadh in my teens, I absorbed a mosaic of traditions, sparking a...

Sample Personal Statement for Family Medicine Residency

Personal Statement Prompt: A personal letter is required. We are looking for mature, enthusiastic physicians who bring with them a broad range of life experiences, are committed to providing excellent patient care, and can embrace the depth and breadth of experiences...

[2024] 4 Law School Personal Statement Examples from Top Programs

In this article, I will discuss 4 law school personal statement samples. These statements have been written by successful applicants who gained admission to prestigious US Law schools like Yale, Harvard, and Stanford. The purpose of these examples is to demonstrate...

Sample Personal Statement Cybersecurity

In this article, I will be providing a sample grad school personal statement in the field of cybersecurity. This sample was written by an applicant who got admitted into George Mason, Northeastern and Arizona State University. This example aims to show how prospective...

100+ Grad School Personal Statement Examples

Introduction Importance of a Strong Personal Statement A personal statement is essential in the graduate school application process, as it plays a significant role in shaping the admissions committee's perception of you. In fact, a survey conducted by the Council of...

WANT AMAZING ARTICLES ON GRAD SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENTS?

• 100+ Personal Statement Templates

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing Advice

Recommended Clearing Universities

Popular Course Categories

Take our quick degree quiz

Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!

Take our full degree quiz

Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.

Search by Type

Search by Region

Recommended Universities

University of East London

London (Greater) · 93% Recommended

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Wales · 96% Recommended

University of Chichester

South East England · 100% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University was ranked 1st for social inclusion! (Good University Guide, 2024) Click here to learn more!

Bournemouth University

Would you like to study by beautiful beaches? Bournemouth is the place to be!

Ranking Categories

Regional Rankings

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 131,500+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice Categories

Recommended Articles

Popular Statement Examples

Statement Advice

What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Politics and International Relations Personal Statement

Submitted by Daniela

Are you always watching international Politics?

Learn more about the political theories and international relations behind it all by studying Politics at SOAS.

Change the world around you with a Politics degree.

Choose Surrey for your Politics degree where you can take advantage of a year long award-winning Professional Training placement scheme.

Politics and International Relations Personal Statement

Growing up in Colombia, I have experienced first-hand the consequences of living in a country where corruption and widespread ignorance of the true power of democracy have affected generations of citizens. When I came to England, I was exposed to a completely different political environment that offered safety and stability, opposed to the societal violence and uncertainty that I saw in my home country. This ignited my desire to educate myself on the workings of politics in theory and in practice. The 2015 general election inspired me to get involved in any way I could, being 15 at the time, I was unable to formally express my beliefs by voting and instead became a member of the Labour Party.

My interest in political theory was fuelled after attending a lecture on Liberalism at the Royal Institute. I began reading Nozick's 'Anarchy the State and Utopia' which furthered my understanding of this ideology. Despite it opposing my views, especially on the points of minimal taxation and state intervention, I found myself fascinated by his ideas and began to question my own beliefs and reasons why I was not a liberalist. It is this self-scrutiny catalysed by the study of different ideologies and theories that in my opinion proves why the study of political theory is so fundamental. It deals with timeless questions that allow people to view the world from a different perspective. It questions the way morality, power and authority can shape lives.

With political apathy being a problem in younger generations, I was eager to get involved in a school mock election where I led the campaign for the Labour Party. In turn, I gained valuable experience articulating my ideas to a younger audience and developed my critical thinking skills through the analysis of opponent campaigns. I attended the 'Guardian Live: Election Reaction' event, where a group of political journalists met to discuss the unexpected result of the General Election. This insight enlightened me to a different side of politics, a more practical one that I had not been introduced to in the classroom. As an avid reader of the Huffington Post and Politico, I keep up to date on the ever changing world of politics and link current articles to my schoolwork, a skill I believe will be transferable to my course. As a politics prefect, I actively help the department by promoting the subject to younger students. In my Spanish A-Level we have held extensive discussions on Catalonia's fight for independence and the declaration of an unconstitutional referendum. This fascinates me as one of the things I'm most looking forward to exploring in my degree is the political workings and cultures of other countries. A-level Business has also shown me the way trading blocs can greatly affect international relations within countries, some which have recently caused the British public to vote for Brexit.

I have enhanced my interpersonal skills and confidence through my long-term part time job as a receptionist in a leisure centre. My role involves working with a range of people and often requires me to use my initiative to overcome any difficulties that may arise with the customers. This experience has been paramount to my personal development and has made me a more responsible, independent and self-disciplined individual. Commitment to any kind of work is of huge importance to me.

Studying politics at university will provide a solid foundation which will increase my chances of working for the Foreign Office and ultimately pursuing my ambition to become a diplomat. To aid this, I plan to complete a civil service fast stream scheme following my degree course. Being fluent in Spanish, the world's second most spoken language, will be of huge benefit in this pursuit. My immense and genuine passion for politics, coupled with many transferable skills I have acquired make me a serious candidate worthy of consideration. I look forward to the opportunities university will bring me and my aspiring career in politics.

Recommended Course

Recommended Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Politics and I/R Personal Statement

Coming from a developing country to an advanced world at fifteen made a big impact on how I see the world. My...

Economic, Politics and Public Policy Personal Statement

When asking somebody of their initial thought when saying ‘McDonalds’, most individuals reply with “Ronald Mc...

International Relations Personal Statement

I have long been interested in world affairs; the interaction of its leaders, their different economies and 2...

Submitted by Aqil

Government and Politics Personal Statement

Watching 9/11 and the aftermath of the London bombings unfold live on television is what initially stimulated...

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Uni of East London

263 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

317 courses

Uni of Chichester

216 courses

Uni of West London

348 courses

dBs Institute

Northeastern Uni

Uni of Huddersfield

598 courses

Uni of Derby

391 courses

Bournemouth Uni

279 courses

Escape Studios

Uni of Sunderland

188 courses

Wrexham Uni

178 courses

Uni of Chester

285 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

495 courses

Bath Spa Uni

275 courses

Uni of Bradford

244 courses

Uni of Suffolk

123 courses

Uni of Hull

287 courses

Ravensbourne

Kingston Uni

437 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

241 courses

Uni of Winchester

136 courses

London Met Uni

328 courses

Middlesex Uni

363 courses

Uni of Westminster

370 courses

Uni of Staffordshire

234 courses

Uni of Roehampton

215 courses

Uni of Brighton

267 courses

Uni of Kent

322 courses

Swansea Uni

979 courses

335 courses

Uni of Southampton

592 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

512 courses

Uni College Birmingham

108 courses

401 courses

332 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

Edge Hill Uni

299 courses

Leeds Arts University

Heriot-Watt Uni

242 courses

Uni of Reading

446 courses

Uni of Leicester

239 courses

162 courses

Nottingham Trent

580 courses

Uni of Surrey

475 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

393 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

375 courses

UWE, Bristol

258 courses

Queen's Uni

415 courses

Coventry Uni

447 courses

FIND THE IDEAL COURSE FOR YOU

Degree Course Quiz

Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today.

Find the latest from Uni Compare

University of Derby

Ranked top 5 for employability and course quality (Uni Compare 2025) - click here!

Northeastern University, London

Want to earn two globally recognised degrees simultaneously? Look no further!

International Relations Personal Statement

Strong academic achievements, personal skills and desire to establish myself as an active participant in national and global communications, are aspects which I believe make me a strong candidate to study International Relations. I seek to critically engage in international relations core subjects including; politics, law, economics, environmental issues, development and human rights, building a strong career base in international development. As an ambitious international student, I am currently studying a Foundation degree at Kings College, London. I am on course to achieve exceptional grades in subjects including Communication and Study Skills, Data Handling, Human Geography, Politics and Economics. This foundation degree gives me a firm grounding to progress on to higher education having successfully completed English taught classes. I wish to develop my knowledge, experience and evaluative skills in these areas which are applicable to my future career in development projects.

Living and studying Business in Japan for a year, I have gained a range of skills useful for university and working life. Independence, organisation and communications are essential for success in this fast paced, business focused and formal culture. This contrasts to the ongoing conflicts and problems between nations, most recently, the North Korean changes after their communist leader died. International Relations will provide concepts and methods to manage, develop and advance international links.

Fluent in three languages, Korean, English and Japanese, allows me to converse effectively with international students, evaluate a broad range of global publications and consider peer insights. Studying International Relations in the UK provides the opportunity to fully embrace these skills, while gaining further education for managing country relations.

Work experience as a sales advisor in a busy international airport store, developed a range of interpersonal skills. I was responsible for assisting foreign tourists locate items, while providing excellent customer service. This highlighted the importance of building rapport and understanding needs of people. My English and Japanese language skills were greatly advanced, allowing me to effectively assist a diverse range of customers with ease.

Volunteering for a local Catholic church during the busy festive period enhanced my desire to assist those with limited opportunities and fortune, looking for ways to bridge the gap between the poor and wealthy. Tasks included presenting information, guiding people and assisting in food preparation, which developed my organisation and team work skills. Participating in charitable causes allows me to understand and develop new initiatives to promote welfare, appreciation and sense of community.

Elected Class Captain for two years, I was responsible for organising class activities, for example student conferences for the entire class to be involved in. I learned time management skills, leadership tactics and people skills. Leadership involved initiative, listening and patience, all essential skills for group success. I was also a member of the Media and Broadcast club, where presentation skills were regularly used. Effective research activities, such as reading local and national publications about chosen subjects allowed me to be knowledgeable, form strong arguments and gain respect.

Throughout my education, work experience and personal experiences, I have developed a broad sense of perspective of the world, which I wish to develop further at higher education. Committed, hardworking and positive approach to new challenges, are personal traits which I believe will help me succeed in International Relations.

Future career goals include gaining work experience in a structured internship course within a well respected organisation. I wish to develop my university and work experience by contributing to global organisations such as the United Nations or UNICEF.

International Relations Personal Statement - Hopefully this sample UCAS entry profile has been of use to you.

Science Personal Statement

Nutrition/dietetics example personal statement.

--> --> -->