Instructions:

Write a sample application essay applying to study in another country. 

Pick a country of your choice. However, due to current difficulties in Mexico, that country is off limits.

 Your  essay  should  convince  your  audience  (the  Study  Abroad  Selection  Committee)  of  your  seriousness  in  studying  in  a  foreign  country  while  you  are  a  student  at  The  University  of  Texas  at  El  Paso.    

 Your  response  must  be  no  less  than  250  words  in  length.   

This  essay  must  answer  all   the  following  questions:  

1.  In  what  ways  do  you  think  the  culture(s)  of  the  country  you  will  visit  will  be  the  same  as  your home culture?   In  what  ways  do  you  expect  the  culture(s)  to  be  different?  

2. How  will  you  prepare  yourself  for  the  differences  in  culture,  academics,  etc?   How  do  you  think  you  will  be  challenged  by  these  differences?  

3. How  do  you  plan  to  apply  your  experience  (academically  and  professionally)  upon  returning  to  the  United  States?  

Your  essay  should  follow  this  structure:  

Introduction‐‐Announce the subject and purpose of the essay, and then briefly introduce yourself in order to establish your credibility with your audience.. .  

Body  Paragraphs—Answer  each  of  the  three  questions  above  in  a  separate  paragraph.  Be  sure  to  support  each  body  paragraph’s  topic  sentence  with  specific  examples,  details  and  explanations.   Description  and  narration  work  well  in  this  type  of  writing.  

Conclusion—Bring  the  essay  to  a  clear  and  effective  close by summing up (not repeating) your main points, and then urging your audience to do what you want them to do.

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