Ever since I was a small girl, I have always been fascinated with human dynamics. I intuitively knew that beyond the surface of the titles and roles, there is a real human being inherently driven by the collection of life stories forming the basis of their behavior. As a society, that collective behavior comprised of individual life stories form the fabric of social and cultural identity. Therefore, I believe that the solution to many complex global challenges we face today require substantial consideration of the human domain. This belief and my desire to contribute to the solution are the primary factors that led me to volunteer for the assignments I’ve had in the military. I wanted to do jobs that worked closely with the local populace
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In Iraq I was a medic and had opportunities to talk to local nationals every day. In Afghanistan I was a part of Village Stability Operation (VSO) that gave me an opportunity to really be immersed in the rhythm of life in rural Afghanistan. From my deployments, I have gathered many anecdotes that confirm my belief on the importance of drawing out the life stories to build rapport. It is that sense of trust and mutual understanding of our shared identity as fellow human beings that have been the greatest driving force for cooperative efforts towards peace and stability. Conversely, when the understanding breaks down, the situation almost always takes a turn for the …show more content…
However, I regret that I studied mostly science and engineering subjects during my undergraduate years. I would like to study humanities in graduate school to have a formal education and view the field through the lens of a critical thinker. Graduate school would offer me the opportunity to study topics that interest me in depth and provide a forum for thoughtful discussion. Having mostly learned out of necessity for my line of work, I know that there are gaps in my “practical” education that I would like to fill. Studying at Mount Saint Mary’s University Graduate would finally allow me to have the time to do so in an educational and values based
In Iraq I was a medic and had opportunities to talk to local nationals every day. In Afghanistan I was a part of Village Stability Operation (VSO) that gave me an opportunity to really be immersed in the rhythm of life in rural Afghanistan. From my deployments, I have gathered many anecdotes that confirm my belief on the importance of drawing out the life stories to build rapport. It is that sense of trust and mutual understanding of our shared identity as fellow human beings that have been the greatest driving force for cooperative efforts towards peace and stability. Conversely, when the understanding breaks down, the situation almost always takes a turn for the …show more content…
However, I regret that I studied mostly science and engineering subjects during my undergraduate years. I would like to study humanities in graduate school to have a formal education and view the field through the lens of a critical thinker. Graduate school would offer me the opportunity to study topics that interest me in depth and provide a forum for thoughtful discussion. Having mostly learned out of necessity for my line of work, I know that there are gaps in my “practical” education that I would like to fill. Studying at Mount Saint Mary’s University Graduate would finally allow me to have the time to do so in an educational and values based