My name is Zoe a student from HSUHK majoring in Accountancy and I am looking to apply for exchange to university of Illinois next semester Please help me write an personal statement as followThe essay

As a student majoring in Accountancy at HSUHK, I have always been interested in exploring new opportunities to broaden my horizons and gain valuable experiences that will shape my future. That is why I am excited to apply for an exchange program at the University of Illinois next semester. Studying abroad will provide me with a unique opportunity to explore a new culture, learn from distinguished professors, and meet diverse people from all over the world.

Apart from my academic achievements, I believe that there are many other things that define me as a person. An accomplishment that has brought about a period of personal growth and a new understanding of myself is when I joined a non-profit organization that provides education to underprivileged children. This experience has taught me the importance of giving back to society and has made me more empathetic towards those who are less fortunate.

When I first joined the organization, I was assigned to teach a group of children from a low-income neighborhood. It was a daunting task, as I had never taught before and had no prior experience working with children. However, as I spent more time with the children, I realized that they were eager to learn and had a thirst for knowledge. I was amazed at how resilient and determined these children were, despite the many challenges they faced in their daily lives.

Through this experience, I learned that education is a powerful tool that can change lives and break the cycle of poverty. I also learned that everyone, regardless of their background, has the potential to achieve great things if given the opportunity. This realization has made me more appreciative of the opportunities that I have been given and has motivated me to work harder to achieve my goals.

Moreover, this experience has also taught me the importance of teamwork and communication skills. As a volunteer, I had to work closely with other volunteers and communicate effectively with them to ensure that our lessons were structured and delivered in a way that was beneficial to the children. I also had to be patient and understanding when dealing with the children, as they came from different backgrounds and had different learning abilities.

In conclusion, my experience as a volunteer teaching underprivileged children has been a major factor in my personal growth and development. It has made me more empathetic, appreciative, and motivated to work harder to achieve my goals. I believe that this experience will also help me during my exchange program at the University of Illinois, as it has taught me important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. I am confident that studying abroad will be a life-changing experience that will further shape my personal and professional growth.