How To Woo ‘Em With Your Study Abroad Personal Statement

By Julia Zaremba on April 25, 2016

So, you want to go study at a castle-like university in some picturesque medieval European town for the summer … and so does the rest of the world. How do you stand out from the crowd of eager students? Create a stellar personal statement, as this will break or make that dream a reality.

First tip: Don’t panic. Writing a personal statement for study abroad applications is a lot easier than you think. Just be sure to breathe and start plenty of time in advance.

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Before we get into the dirty details of these beasts, let’s briefly mention the bones. You’ve probably already read reviews and found your perfect study abroad program. Now, research the specific guidelines for the personal statement for applicants. Read these (a couple of times) and stick to them. Pay attention not only to font, length and general styling rules, but also make sure that you are addressing everything that is asked. There’s nothing worse than writing the masterpiece of your life and not even having it read because the formatting was off.

Keeping the above in mind, not all personal statements will look the same. However, below is a study abroad personal statement example, with an outline that shares tips specific for each section that can be used for any application.

I. HEY THERE!

Here is the first sentence of the introductory paragraph, and it has to shine, sparkle and seduce. Life is cruel, but most people form first impressions of others in the first seven seconds upon meeting. It’s even harder with writing; you can’t always rely on that charming smile or thrust money into their hands. Be unique here, but also clean and to the point.

The rest of the introduction paragraph should address the following:

Why do you want to study abroad here? Have some sort of universal statement about how this experience is perfect for you, but still mention a few specifics.

I know where you live. Don’t be creepy, but show that you did your research and make a casual allusion to a particular faculty member/course project/extracurricular offer that shows that you know what you’re talking about. Hook ‘em and make ‘em feel special.

II. THE SMARTS

Next, focus on the academics, since … well, that’s what most of this experience will (hopefully) be about. Show that you take your schooling seriously. It helps if you have a transcript with high numbers, but not everything has to be numerical.

List school organizations you are part of. If you have positions or interests in extracurricular clubs, make a note of them. Especially useful for study abroad are involvements in any language or global relations clubs.

The grass is greener on the other side. Why study ABROAD? What will you get out of this that you will not get back home (other than fresh moussaka and authentic souvenirs?) Will different cultures teach you new ways of thinking? Will you understand foreign perspectives? Will you be exposed to cultural quirks that will help you grow into a global citizen?

Can’t get that here. You can study English everywhere, but the opportunity to chill with Jane Austen for a summer at Oxford will really delve into those literary devices you love about 18th century novels. What courses or experiences can you get there but not here? (Psst … even though it’s tempting, try to avoid mentions of the foods you’re excited for!).

III. THE SKILLS

Now that you’ve said hello and made yourself seem like an invaluable program participant, time to get geeky. This is where you brag about your perfect personality and out-of-classroom glamour.

Pretty and witty and bright. What scholarly skills are you a pro at, and how are they great for the study abroad program? Can you work well in groups? Can you manage time well? Can you solve problems in stressful situations? Are you a leader? Are you the next president?

Share your passion. Find something that is relevant to the program you’re applying to (theatre star? science nerd? bookworm?) and elaborate on this devotion. How does this form a part of your life outside of classroom walls? Bonus points if it’s directly connected to your study abroad destination or program.

I’m a professional. If you have specific qualifications or past experiences that would contribute to the study abroad experience, make them shine here.

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IV. THE SEQUEL

The time spent abroad might be short and sweet, but that doesn’t mean the results will be. Hopefully, you’ll spend sleepless nights reminiscing about the experience after you come back. Lifelong effects are good; elaborate on these.

Long-term benefits. Describe what you will bring back from the study abroad experience, whether that be class credits, a special certificate, personal growth, an additional language, or a new mindset.

Like a boss. How will this experience follow you into future study and career plans? Mention how your resume will stand out because of this particular exchange.

Tomorrow, tomorrow. State your hopes for the future and explain how the study abroad experience will help turn those daydreams into reality.

V. TTYL

The conclusion is a little bit like the introduction, but the opposite. Whereas in the introduction you should start broad and zoom in gradually, the last section will start with one idea and end on an eternal, universal note. Hint at future correspondences; you want to hear from them (hopefully with a favorable reply).

Tie it up. Take all of the loose ends and tie them into a pretty bow. Make sure that every part of your personal statement fits in and carries the essay forward in a specific direction.

Forever and ever. Reiterate the lasting effects and benefits of this particular study abroad experience. Include a Happily Ever After.

End with a bang. Keep the tone positive, keep it simple, and end with something bold.

Write your first draft without paying too much attention to perfection (or even word count). Just get everything on paper and let the enthusiasm flow into every word you write. Don’t fret if you cannot come up with the perfect words or sentences — especially the first or last one. Usually, these come when you are least expecting it (in the produce aisle of your Tuesday evening grocery shopping trip?), so don’t force them. Unless you left everything to the last minute, you should have plenty of time and opportunities for inspiration to strike.

After you have your first stab at the next best-seller (of yourself), take a nap. It’s good to let your personal statement breathe for a while and to give your mind a fresh outlook before you go into editing.

Read the first draft over, edit it, then edit it again. When you’re happy with it, pass it over to a friend or teacher for an external reading, and don’t ignore their feedback. Then go back to your laptop and make all of the final changes. Read it out loud once, give it a smile, and you’re done.

You have the perfect study abroad personal statement. You’re ready to click “submit” and celebrate with a shopping session in the luggage department.

Written and contributed by our partner GoAbroad.com.

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