Introduce the purpose of your essay. This is the part of your statement where you will want introduce important people, places, and things. My interest in Japan began the summer before my freshman year of college. Provide context that expands upon your introduction. I was chosen as one of three American students to participate in a Japanese exchange program. For a month, I lived near Osaka with host families, navigating a culture I knew little about and a language I couldn’t speak. Expand upon the facts or evidence presented in the beginning of your statement. For someone who had previously never left the country alone, this experience greatly strengthened my leadership potential, and I decided that my interests lay in understanding and supporting international connections, both on a cultural and political scale. Conclude by returning to the main focus of your essay. I believe that, with my already established background in international relations, I will be a valuable addition to the Public Policy Program. The program’s emphasis on leadership development and collaborative work is the next logical step for me.