VIP Class Notes (Maddie)

how to write a personal statement

I like to think of myself as a person who enjoys dealing with people.

experience as a class monitor

father work as manager of a big company

internship at an educational institution as vice principal of a school with several hundred students – enrolment, new campus preparation, coordination with teachers

own belief/management philosophy : trust is key , gotta win trust from employees

business operation simulation – what jobs you did and you found interesting

structure:

1. since childhood, been interested in business management <– family influence
2. at school – monitor (optional); theoretical knowledge on business managament (organisational behaviour – example)
3. business operation simulation (details)
4. social experience – internships
5. wish to start my own business – compare business models in first tier cities like shanghai with hometown – potential opportunies
6. hobbies: musical intruments (awards); play basketball

600-800 words

doing xx allowed/inspired me to xxx 做某事让我能够xxx/激励我xxx

sample ps:

Since I was a child, my parents have taken me travelling and I have visited many museums in Europe, Australia, Japan and South East Asia and admired many historic buildings. I was exposed to classical art from an early age and this led to a keen interest in the history of art.

I love the architectural design of Christian churches as well as Catholic churches, especially the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. The towering minarets of it are the ultimate expression of man’s quest for the supernatural, and through the stained glass windows I see the heavenly life envisaged by the mundane. On the other hand, multiple visits to renowned art museums allowed me to appreciate the original works of masterpieces of various genres. Among the many famous western and eastern works, my favourites are Mona Lisa and the series of 36 Views of Fugaku by Hokusai Katsushika, the Japanese ukiyo-e painter of the late Edo period. Every time I see the Mona Lisa smile, I can’t help but marvel at the fact that man’s mastery of art has surpassed even nature’s ability to express the emotions it has given us. In fact, despite the diversity of the art styles I find enjoyable, there is one essential element that is common to all of them: the representation of nature or of the connection between human and nature. 

A love of literature also stems from the enlightenment of art and beauty. Since Hillier on Art that I read as a child, I have become more and more attracted to books on history, philosophy, religion, and art. Among the books I have read, my favourites are “1984” by George Orwell, “Jigokuhen” by Ryuunosuke Akutagawa, “The Beginnings of Art”, as well as the famous ancient Greek works “Iliad” and “Odyssey”.

Inspired by these classic works, I began to explore art and tried to integrate my own understanding of the world. Both my parents have careers related to traditional culture (my father is a TCM professor) and I was exposed to Eastern traditions from an early age, and I know from books and practice that “being in tune with nature is at the heart of health”: it is only when we consider ourselves in the context of nature that we can better nurture ourselves. with the help of my talent for painting, I published a picture book this year called ‘The passing of spring, the arrival of autumn and the talk of the seasons‘. It is a picture book about traditional Chinese festivals and contains many reflections on the relationship between man and nature. Although the text is a little difficult to follow, I tried to use my own understanding to vividly present the more technical content to help more people understand Chinese medicine and traditional culture.

Extensive international travel experience has also encouraged a love for sharing in me: I have written travel advice and restaurant reviews on google map- I even achieved a 5-star guide award for the high quality of the reviews. This has allowed me to share the beauty of the world with others while exploring my own interests and learning about the history and present of the place – I feel that the essence of art appreciation is respect for an understanding based on personal experience. In addition, I continue to volunteer at church every Sunday for Sunday School. This involves telling Bible stories to the children in the church, teaching them to draw and do crafts. This part-time working experience allows me to gain a deeper understanding of religious culture by reviewing Bible stories. Apart from the close contact with classical art, another important part of my trips was – I have been skiing in the Pyrenees almost every winter since I was 11. Apart from skiing, tennis is another sport that I practice on a regular basis: no matter how busy I am, I would always leave every Friday afternoon for tennis training. Exercise not only relieves my stress, but also strengthens my body and mind. Apart from regular sports, I was also a member of the Good Girl Choir for three years, and singing is not only beautiful, it also helps improve my lung capacity.

Studying art history gives me a better appreciation of the beauty of world cultures. I am looking forward to and willing to continue my studies in this field in the future.