Pursuing a career in global studies and international business

Pursuing a Career in Global Studies and International Business
I have been fortunate enough to live a privileged life. This included travels to foreign lands, as my parents took me on trips to explore and experience various cultures. They instilled in me the belief that learning is best experienced rather than merely heard, seen from pictures or read in books. Along with that philosophy is exposure to all types of people for the purpose of developing respect and acceptance of differences in people and that each one has a story to tell.
I can say that I am more than aware of issues regarding multiculturalism. Awareness is just knowing that there exists different cultures that influence the development of different personalities. My parents made sure that I interact with people from various cultures when I go abroad so I get to know them deeper than just recognizing that they belong to that country. More than their physical features, more than the color of their skin or their foreign accents is a real person who wants to reach out to another human being. I have learned that the best way to shorten the distance between two people is to open my heart and let them come in with full acceptance. This would entail knowing how to establish rapport and communicate effectively in both verbal and non-verbal ways. Socialization is one activity that my parents highly encourage because it teaches us valuable experiences from others. My father taught me NEVER to judge others based on their appearance or reputation because I was never in their shoes to fully know what they have gone through. They may have experienced something beyond my wildest imagination so I have no right to say if they were wrong or right in the decisions they have made for themselves.
Being immature and human, even if my parents have taught me well, I was still prone to misconceptions and prejudice. This happened when my father brought me to his friend’s house for a visit. I was shocked to see a man so scarred and disfigured and readily adjudged him as ugly and scary. He elicited much negative thoughts in me and made me queasy in his presence. As I got to know him better, shame slowly covered my being. This was because I learned that he was a fireman who saved lots of lives and his horrifying scars were considered his trophies and medals for his valor in risking his lives for the people he rescued from terrible fires. This small incident left a huge impact in me and imprinted the lesson that I should never judge anyone without fully getting to know his real story. I should go beyond the surface to unearth the beauty that lies within a person.
My previous experiences have strengthened my desire to pursue a career in global studies and international business. I know I have been groomed for this career with the background my parents provided me with. Understanding people, cultural differences and various customs and traditions from all over the world supported by a deep passion for people from all walks of life to successfully connect with each other towards a better future makes me a perfect candidate as a student of Global Studies and International Business in American University.