Serhad Ketsamanian
02/04/2015

“Big Man Fritsche” Scholarship Personal Essay

Former South African President Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Education is not only a reception of information, but also the acquisition of analytic tools that help foster the individual’s critical approach to certain problems. The first educational steps are taken under the instruction of one's parents, which does not only help the child prepare for school but also enhance his abilities to face the first challenges of life. Therefore, education is essential in so far as it is an attempt to create a platform of dialogue among various individuals through interaction and engagement. More importantly, education not only develops one's rational and cognitive abilities but also provides raw material for thought. Furthermore, I believe that proper education is the venue where a person cultivates his abilities to adjudicate among matters, make ethical decisions as well as improve his problem solving skills. It is generally believed that there is a strong link between education and leadership. In this respect, I believe, a successful leader is the one who is able to put to practice and utilize the analytic tools he has acquired through education, and thus make efficient decisions. Finally, I look at education as a process that promotes self-sustainment among individuals, strengthening thus their sense of self-confidence. In an increasingly global and interdependent society, there is a need for diversity in thought, background, and experience which can only be maintained through the propagation of education. Therefore, acknowledging the crucial role that education plays in a world that is becoming more competitive by the day, it is here that I appeal to the “Big Man Fritsche” Scholarship to help fund the costs of my academic program. I believe that with the generous funding of the scholarship I will have a unique opportunity to pursue my academic interests, in an effort to pave my way for a