French Personal Statement Example 1

Completing a week of work experience in a Breton primary school in March 2003 cemeted in my mind the decision to study French at university. Whilst staying in the Moulin de Kerguoal with an English/French husband and wife team with their bilingual adult children, I realised how strong French family ties can be, which fuelled my research into 'the family in France' for my A-S French Oral. My knowledge of Sociology [one of my other a-level subjects] helped me to analyse the trends and statistics of subjects such as teenage pregnancy rates in France, which, partly due to the family, is one of the lowest in Europe. Through my research, I was able to discover more about French society and culture. Attending a morning of sessions at school devoted to these particular subjects and introducing the French political system, further developed my interest. The Channel 4 documentary 'A French Affair' showed how a mayoral election took hold of the small village of Curtil-Vergy which also encouraged this.

At Presdales [my secondary school], I led sixteen Year 7 students around there Intensive French Day. This included cheese tasting and ordering food in a cafe, which refreshed my memory and filled me with a fascination and a passion for all things French. Studying Begag's 'Le Gone du Chaaba' [my a-level set text] led to a new interest for modern French literature, and as part of my school's reading scheme, I have also encountered some of Sempe-Goscinny's Petit Nicolas series, Sagan's 'Bonjour Tristesse' and am looking forward to Camus' 'L'etranger'. [sorry, can't be bothered to put all the accents in!]

Apart from a passion for French, my other love is Music. Thaking part in numerous activities has given me many opportunities both from a playing and business point of view, including decision making and organising individuals within a team. Managing my own string quartet, 4 Square Strings, for nearly three years now, has not only been a money-spinner for all involved, but has also enabled me to sample my chosen career path. We have played at numerous functions, such as weddings and balls, the most recent of which have been the University of Hertfordshire's Vice-Chancellor's leaving dinner and the Sing Tao (a Chinese daily newspaper) British opening reception. I have also taken on the role of business and finance manager liaising with both clients and the bank. In addition to this, through my own contacts in the classical music industry, I spent a day at the Maida Vale studios in London, watching the BBC Symphony Orchestra rehears...one of the best days of my life to date.

At school, I lead the orchestra, sing in both the senior and chamber choirs, accompany and direct the junior choir and coach a string quartet. Outside this, I co-lead North Herts Youth Orchestra, am a senior player at North Herts Saturday Morning Music School and am a member of the Herts County Youth Orchestra and the Philharmonic at the University of Herts. In the 2001-02 season, I was appointed leader of the Herts Schools' Symphony Orchestra.

I also utilise my musical talents within my local community, regularly playing the piano in a small but friendly community church in my area and the organ in the parish church of St.Andrew and St.George, Stevenage. From this church came SCAMP - Stevenage Community Arts and Music Project, which runs in February half term week. My involvement in this has steadily increased from simply playing in the band to taking rehearsals, judging the colouring competition and doing playground duty.

I have found that these activited have made me a very self-motivated person with a breadth of interests and I cannot wait to get immersed in my degree course.