天美麻豆

My name is John Currie. Having recently graduated with a 2:1 in my BSc Honours Economics from Ulster University Jordanstown, I accepted my offer onto the Master of Science programme in Investment and Risk Management at Queens University, Belfast. My passion for travel, gaining a taste for new cultures and learning new languages is something that has always appealed to me. Having studied Irish, German, French, modern languages and, most recently, Chinese mandarin, on a recent internship in Beijing with the British council. The opportunity this programme gives me to combine my love of new culture with the chance of working with, and helping others in picking up new skills was a great draw for me. Having coached my home clubs under 12s for a year, working with kids was something I quickly discovered I had a passion for. Being captivated by the programmes work, I would like to avail of the many opportunities and experiences these positions offer to a graduate such as myself. Outside the realms of education, I have been fortunate enough to gain invaluable practical experience across Europe and Asia. Having travelled to Beijing on the British Council Study China Programme in 2015, my motivation to pursue a career or further study in fields that allowed me to open to new cultures and to work with and aid others was cemented. Spending time studying in countries such as China, Germany and the US opened my eyes to the vast array of cultures and the general gap that exists between much of the worlds population. This was highlighted to me last summer in a group trip of Eastern Europe, in which I saw and spoke to Migrants who had only started there long journey to freedom from Syria. This was a powerful moment for me, and it was that, which made me want to help others, in any way I can, but also to bridge this gap, in knowledge of other cultures. As a coach working with young kids, I had to plan, set-up and run my own training sessions. I had to show leadership, initiative and discipline so that the kids would listen to and respect me. I learnt the importance of patience as well as vital development of various communicational skills as I had to guide kids through drills both verbally and physically, through demonstrations. As I managed the sessions by myself, I had to express the ability to work on my own initiative, as well as being committed to what I was doing. I learnt the importance of being organised but also with the ability to adapt, and think on ones feet. This was vital for example if players didnt turn up, because sessions were planned based on numbers, so I had to be able to rethink sessions and change different elements very quickly, but still keeping them relevant and fun. The problem solving aspect to coaching youngsters is what I found most enjoyable, for example if they did not understand a certain element, how could it be explained in a way that they would. Through my job, work, and sport I have always had to been able to balance these, my time management and organisation were both major elements as to why I have been able to do so successfully, which is key elements for such a roll. I enjoy interacting with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, meeting them with understanding and tolerance. Growing up in a heavily divided society such as Northern Ireland, has taught me the importance in understanding, tolerating and accepting individuals of varying opinions and beliefs. Divisions exist in every society, although they manifest themselves differently depending on contrasting factors. I believe communication to serve as a fundamental step towards spreading the importance of understanding. Having studied cross-cultural communication at Wingate University, North Carolina, and having played on a football team while there with players from all around the world, I have gained an understanding of the international importance of communication; especially in the context of development. I believe my confidence to have grown immensely when communicating with individuals of variant cultural backgrounds, attributing this to the experiences I have had in China, US, Germany and working in Northern Ireland. As we find ourselves in an era of rapid urbanisation, economic development and growth, we are also witnessing a period of accelerating climate change worldwide and huge population growth throughout the developing world. Therefore, there is a clear need for a Multicultural acceptance, the world over. It is with this that we can start to educate tomorrows world, today. This is the way in which the economy can move forward despite all other beliefs, this is why for me this is a perfect roll and one I would undertake with great commitment and honour. Yours Sincerely, John Currie.