Personal Statement

Personal Statement
My name is José Aguas, a 24-year-old professional man born in Quito, Ecuador, and I am an organized,
responsible, analytical, and sociable person with an easy adaptation, team work skills, and capacity to
interact with people. I am committed to empowering civil society to articulate initiatives that can become
public policy for the benefit of all people, and I have an interest in promoting a good government from civil
society through my high level of commitment to knowledge about International Relations and Political
Science.
For my educational experience, I have a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a specialization in
Political Science from San Francisco University. My interests are to learn about the system of international
organizations and multilateralism, promote volunteerism, assist in social projects, and make public policy.
Regarding to my interests, throughout my university life, I have participated in several academic simulations
of the United Nations representing Colombia, the United States, and South Africa as a delegate. Likewise, I
have been teaching assistant to three professors of the Department of International Relations, for example,
MSc. Iván Flores, Professor of the Department of Literature, Dr. Tamara Trownsell, Coordinator of the
Department of International Relations, and, Dr. Jessica Ehlers, Professor of the Department of Political
Science and International Relations. My responsibilities included supporting them in reviewing essays,
recording grades, reviewing capstone projects, and assisting with research projects, among others. In 2019, I
started studying English at the Fulbright Commission in order to improve writing, speaking, reading, and
listening skills of this foreign language. In addition, my achievements have been to be on the Chancellor's
List for three years with a GPA greater than and equal to 3.7/4, achieve the honor Magna Cum Laude by San
Francisco University, and be named one of the Best Students of 2014 by the Andean Parliament with an
average of 9.86/10.
On the other hand, for my work experience, in 2019, I did an internship at the Office of Human Rights and
Peace of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador for four months, where I provided
logistical support for visits by UN Special Rapporteurs on violence against women and Afro-descendants,
prepared interventions for Cycle III of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, and
reviewed and analyzed resolutions for the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Furthermore, in May 2020, I began working at Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) as a
program officer, where I collected information on the activities implemented by the organization's partners,
provided technical support to the Country Director, Program Director, Director of Institutional Relations,
and Project Coordination, and followed up on 14 projects of Ecuadorian civil society organizations that have
agreements with PADF. Additionally, as a complementary experience, I volunteered in the Department of
Community Services at the Consulate General of Ecuador in New York, where I provided assistance in
immigration issues and consular services for Ecuadorian migrants, organized events and workshops for the
Ecuadorian migrant community in collaboration with the New York City Hall, analyzed data on cases of
repatriation of bodies and social organizations within the Ecuadorian migrant community, and evaluated and
provided technical assistance in cases for rent and household items of Ecuadorian migrants.
Finally, for my future goals, I plan to continue working for PADF and pursue a career within the
organization, studying a master's degree in foreign policy and public policy in Spain or the United States in
order to apply for a future diplomatic career in Ecuador within 8 years. Also, I want to study French as a
third language and take specialization courses in social project management, human rights, and diplomacy.
Leadership, perseverance, proactivity, and determination are strengths that define me as a person and
professional, and have allowed me to have a great educational and work experience. I am a person who seeks
solutions to any type of problem and works under values such as respect, commitment, responsibility,
honesty, and discipline to achieve the common good of all.
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