*Once student begins sessions, they will be shared on all essays pertaining to college applications*
“As an applicant to the Joint Degree Programme you are required to submit an additional 1500 – 2000 word essay outlining your interest in the particular academic area to which you are applying – Classical Studies, Economics, English, Film Studies, History, or International Relations; and what particularly interests you about the JDP in your chosen major. Be as specific as you can. Demonstrating that you are familiar with the JDP website—its policies and curriculum—will be helpful to your application, as will examples of your ability to take on a particularly challenging, as well as rewarding, educational experience that demands adaptability, flexibility, and an appreciation for other cultures and institutional practices.”
“Here, put the dirt on the back of your hand.” Confused, I followed Lena’s instructions and patted a small pile of dirt riddled with tiny twigs onto my clean skin. As an exchange student, I had learned how to grow comfortable with the unfamiliarity of many nights like this one. That is, of course, until Lena abruptly grabbed my hand and began to force the grains of dirt into my skin. She continued to press until my face showed distress, and finished her act by saying, “That is how an unbrushed horse feels when you put a saddle on it.”
Lena tossed me the horse’s brush. Farm animals had never been part of my life, and I had only ever visited a farm once to learn about agricultural legislation. My distance from horses- and all farm animals- changed when I was assigned to Rhauderfehn, Germany with the Congress Bundestag Youth-Exchange. If you anticipatedly type “Rhauderfehn” into the Google search bar, like I did many times, you will find a short Wikipedia page. This page provides mundane quantitative identifiers and a few articles about Ostfriesland tea. Although the tea is to die for, Google is a dead end. So, let me try to fill in some gaps:
- Greet everyone with “Moin!” This is strictly an Ostfriesland greeting, and it means “Hello!” You will not be allowed onto the bus without saying “Moin!” to the bus driver.
- Students here throw a class party called a “Schild Aufstellen” on their sixteenth birthdays. Everyone from their class paints them a big poster and bakes the student into a cake (by pouring flour, eggs, and sugar on them), like one happy family. Then, the birthday person will throw a second party just for close friends. You only give gifts if you are invited to the second party.
- After presentations, students knock on their desks to signal that good work has been done. This action replaces applause or snapping.
- Whether or not you are team Damon or Stefan from Vampire Diaries will be a topic of conversation more so than Donald Trump.
- The church I attend with my family marries gay couples. There is an air of acceptance in this corner of the world.
- There is a language called “Plattdeutsch,” an old form of German from the Ostfriesland region. People will try to teach it to you, even though you have just started learning Hochdeutsch (Standard German).
- There are horses everywhere.
Point 7 sparked my interest, so I asked my friend Lena to show me the stable. Although I was tempted to slip my hands into my pockets in the windy, two-degree weather atop my uncooperative little horse Obelix, Lena’s excitement melted away my frustrations. She articulated little bursts of nostalgia- “I remember feeling like I was flying when I rode my first horse at age four,” and shared words of wisdom- “You’re a team, but you’re the leader.”
The fervor and enthusiasm with which Lena taught me made me want to work harder. Within an hour of animated lessons on communicating through saddles and reins, the sky was blushing with hues of pink. Just as I was moving to dismount the horse, Lena confidently exclaimed, “Okay, now ride alone!” She tapped Obelix’s side and he started forward. There was no time to be nervous. Lena’s conviction that I was ready was empowering, but my confidence wavered as I realized that there was no path. As I surrendered to the situation, I begin to communicate with Obelix, fluidly coordinating my taps on his side with light tugs of the reigns. The first few seconds were fun. And then, I fell off Obelix onto the cold, hard ground.
In the place of pain was shame. Lena had dedicated her afternoon to teaching me about something she loved- and I had failed. Her footsteps sped up as she ran to me, and her chuckles began to grow louder. Lena lent me her hand, and contently said, “We stayed so late because everyone needs to fall on their first try.” Lena reminded me that you do not get to pick and choose when your failures knock you down, but you can accept that they will happen. Her giggles prompted me not to take myself so seriously. I went to Obelix to check that he was okay, grinned, and pushed myself back onto the horse. I realized that it did not matter that I was failing; what mattered was my teacher’s passion, and my willingness to try again. And eventually, I got better.
People hold values that often can only be articulated in their native language in their native land. These idioms inherent to human interaction make me want to learn every language and visit every corner of the world. As a Youth Ambassador for the State Department, I came to Germany expecting to express myself. This anticipation initially served as motivation to meet others and work on my language skills, but I found a better catalyst when I began to create comfort through saying, “Du kannst auf deutsch sprechen.” When I let individuals know that I will meet them in their own world, through speaking and listening to their German, their relief is visible. I am in Germany to listen; I seek to learn the language not just to express myself, but to understand passionate individuals when they speak at a thousand miles per hour.
Lena’s love for horses is just one of the many examples of someone in a corner of the world with a singular passion deserving of advocacy. I aspire to attend the Joint Degree program with William and Mary and St. Andrews to further discover the passions of others while pursuing my love for risk taking and problem solving. The best way to encourage civic engagement in others is through the lens of their intense devotion to a cause. Lena and I have begun speaking about laws surrounding the transportation of competition horses, and I have been able to steer her to improve the conditions of her passion. We have since researched legislation and begun to collaborate with local stables to ensure better treatment of the animals. I was able to marry Lena’s enthusiasm for horse riding with my commitment to advocacy and policy. I am creating worldwide connection through interdisciplinary, international public policy.
Through the International Honors program with the college of William and Mary and the University of St. Andrews I can continue my quest of employing public policy to meet the needs of others. The Program puts me in the best position to effectively immerse myself in two global communities in pursuit of global competency, language learning, an expanded network, and new ways of thinking. The ability to find balance between breadth and depth through two vastly different, but equally rich styles of education is liberating. My education thus far has been built through a dynamic life of falling off horses and reading voraciously, so I find it promising that I will not have to sacrifice either learning style with the Joint Degree track. The ability to take classes in a broad range of fields including international security, world trade, environmental politics, human rights, and the impact of globalization excites my love for comprehensive, versatile problem solving.
The International Honors path at the College is attractive because each academic year is categorized. The first year provides a strong base regarding the basics of foreign policy, which is ideal because most of my social science education thus far has been self-taught through books, real-world work, and exchange. It is empowering to know that my knowledge gaps will be filled upfront. At William and Mary, the culture of “small, smart, and historic” is exemplified by global citizens such as Peace Corps graduates and devoted community servants. Traditions such as Opening Convocation, the Yule Log, and the Candlelight Ceremony promise that I will be part of the Tribe community in a unique and deeply meaningful way.
The fourth year capstone at the College is especially attractive due to my desire to leverage my network of domestic government officials and non-profits to conduct research. After two years of theoretical study at St. Andrews on an ABBA track, I will be able to study international civics education reform- my deepest passion. The foreign language elective opportunity and the partnering 202 class at St. Andrews allows me to continue my hunt for linguistic fluency. I currently speak five languages, and am looking to add Arabic and Mandarin to my arsenal in order to expand civics education in regions where there is great opportunity. Having an independent study in my fourth year means that I can apply my language skills and theory background by consulting with international civics policy experts. The option to take more than three classes per semester during my William and Mary years means that I can use my time gaining a broad practical education. I will learn how to be a mindful global citizen while knowing where it is appropriate to employ the theoretical critical thinking skills learned at St. Andrews. The traditions of wearing Red Gowns at graduation, avoiding stepping Patrick Hamilton’s initials, being part of an Academic family, Raisin, and Harry Potter-themed events are inviting bonuses to a world class academic experience. As someone who has already been “The American” in Germany, I have learned how to push past surface-level judgements and find joy in being among young academics living life.
St. Andrews demands its scholars explore through social sciences how we should understand the world and how we should comport ourselves accordingly. The access to community outreach programs and research teams allow me to help local groups through legislation as academic application. I intend to work with Dr. Hazel Cameron on studying global elite bystanders in the creation of war crimes, Dr. Ryan Beasley on representation in coalition governments, and Dr. Jeffrey Murer on the human condition after conflict. Additionally, I will invest my time outside of collaboration, modules, and a minor to help coordinate seminars at the Centre for Global Constitutionalism to be more inclusive of languages and disabilities, and to focus on the intersection of STEM fields in creating constitutionalist societies.
As someone who has always been interested in the role of theory in Constitutional governments, St. Andrews’ modules such as “Legal and Constitutional Studies” allow me to develop depth. My additional passion for the “how” of international policy is fed through modules such as ”Strategic Studies (MLitt),” which allow me to take a critical approach to intellectual curiosity and complex political philosophy. After lectures I will work with my Academic Family and attend Tutorials to discuss opinions on content with small and qualified groups. Through comprehensive reading lists and finals requirements that necessitate a deeper focus in one field, I will use the three-module limit to enrich myself with specialized knowledge. The deep theoretical education at St. Andrews perfectly compliments the broad liberal arts education at William and Mary. Theory allows me to debate and consider how systems function, and why they function a certain way. Practical application allows me to implement my vision. Theory and practical application cannot exist independently in a vacuum; they must be paired together to have groundbreaking implications.
In six months my heart will sink as I pack my bags to leave Rhauderfehn. Many habits I have developed are side effects of living here. I cannot replicate easy access to horses, Ostfriesland tea, and double birthday parties. I can, however, replicate my desire to understand the hearts of others and use that understanding to catalyze global political engagement. Like many communities in Scotland and across the globe, the vibrancy of Rhauderfehn cannot be found through a book or Google search. There are villages, cities, and suburbs filled with people that are passionate about their community’s needs. Only they can articulate what they need, and I intend to use my soul’s desire for an adventuresome life to meet each and every one of them where they are.
POOJA TANJORE 