Essay for a job in foreign service

Hi administrator. I really appreciate it if you could have a look at my essay and give your comments. This is my third attempt entering the service so i want everything to be perfect. The deadline is April 14th, 2013

Thanks in advance.

Topic: Why do you want to join the foreign service?

I am applying to join the foreign service because I believe I can contribute to my country in the spectrum of foreign affairs.

Allow me to elaborate.

My fascination with international relation began when I developed an interest in history lesson at school. The relation between Malacca Sultanate and Imperial China to the relation between Malaysia and the Philippines highlight the importance of foreign relation for a thriving economy and national security. I scored an A for the subject and then proceeded to read law at the x university.

In university, I have the honour to study Public International Law under the inspiring lecture of Prof. Dr. x, a notable academician and active presenter at the x Conference among others. I excelled the course in both semesters with B and A- respectively. My understanding of the relation between community of nations grew as I learned about the law that governs the workings of the world and how Malaysia fits into the big picture.

I believe it took more than passion to work in foreign affairs. Through years of reading law and my stint at a legal firm as Pupil in Chambers, I have acquired the necessary advocacy skill and fortitude to meet my assignment. I am exposed to the drafting and interpretation of the law and policy as well as the effects and implications of legal documents. I am able to converse, read and write in both Malay, English language and have a basic understanding of Arabic language credited primarily to my secondary and tertiary education.

The international settings provided by my university allow me to be comfortable working in a multi cultural environment. I enjoyed the privilege of having classmates and roommates of international background where I discovered the peculiarity of individuals pegged by culture or beliefs and subsequently learned the various techniques to achieve effective interaction and engage with people from other parts of the world.

Being a frequent audience at various public forums on international law at the university permits me to be kept abreast on the international issues particularly the one which Malaysia is interested. I had attended forums on the Palestinian-Israeli issue regarding the two state solution and issues concerning the Bangsamoro to name a few. My passion continues as I have been following closely the development of the incursion in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

I am fortunate to be blessed with an athletic figure of 5’9 in height and 58kg in weight which allows me to do well in competitive sports. I had been in the champion team at a number of netball tournaments since 2005 until throughout my varsity years. I also swim and play table tennis on a regular basis. I believe in a dynamic lifestyle and see sport as a way to socialize whilst strengthening my association with fellow players.

Beside sports, I find pleasure by actively volunteered in community service and I have been awarded Gold Certificate of Achievement in Community Service in 2010 by x. The experience provides me the opportunity to liaise with non-governmental organization as well as government department in organizing humanitarian events.

I want to join the foreign service because of its outstanding achievement in projecting and promoting Malaysia’s interests at an international level. I want to be a part of the machinery that safeguard the national interest and contribute toward a just and equitable community of nations. Given my passion in the international relation sphere complemented by my legal background and skills, I am confident that I will bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to the foreign service.