PERSONAL STATEMENT

My first contact with psychology was made through “Love's Executioner and Other Tales of
Psychotherapy” by Irwin Yalom. I remember my self totally captivated by the different cases
of psychotherapy displayed in the book and the unspoken truths the therapist was able to
notice behind the words of his patients. My reading interests have always revolved around
topics with strong psychological context. How does our brain coordinate our actions or causes
hallucinations? Why do people act differently in a social setting? Which psychological factors
lead a person into committing a crime? The more I studied about mental processes, the more I
realized that psychology provides us with a constant sense of discovery. Understanding the
intricacies of the human mind and using this knowledge in order to empower individuals is an
ability I have always admired and yearned to acquire. Whether as an active conversationalist
for my grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, or a listener for a friend with emotional
trauma, I have always been aware of my eagerness to help another person and comprehend
the way their mind works. After personal research, I grew more and more confident about my
future ambitions: I wanted to become a psychologist; and namely a decent, responsible
professional. My growing interest of unravelling the mysteries of the mind and the possibility
of making a positive difference in someone’s life are the principal factors that motivated me
to embark on a new academic route and hopefully, a new career.

I originally studied Political Science at University of Crete, focusing on subjects like Political
Theory, Public policy and International Relations. As a bachelor graduate in the field of social
sciences, the process of how an individual or a group can have a positive or negative impact
on society was heavily explored during my undergraduate years. My interest in Psychology
never ceased, so I tried to examine politics through the lens of psychological theories and
deliberately undertook all the available psychology-related courses (Political Psychology and
Criminology).These have been my most enjoyed university courses, as well as my most
successful. My initial interest lied in Forensic-Criminal Psychology, so I attended seminars
and successfully completed online courses relevant to the subject.

Not unlike Political Science, Psychology is both a quantitative and a qualitative discipline.
Through my undergraduate experience, I have been equipped with the capacity to critically
examine facts, use statistics software for research, classify and assess evidence accurately,
along with the ability to argue logically and consistently. My bachelor degree has also helped
me form an international and culturally sensitive perspective of our world. Being an avid
language learner, I have completed several translation projects, an activity that enhanced my
time–management efficiency and multitasking skills.

Personally, I feel that I obtain a valuable set of personal attributes, such as open-mindedness,
empathy, and a curious mind. In my everyday life, I am often described as a sociable, friendly
and considerate person. I enjoy cooperating with people and aspire to build relationships
based on mutual respect.
I am confident that my educational background and strong motivation make me a suitable
candidate for the conversion course in Applied Psychology. At the same time, I am fully
prepared to place high investments of effort so I can respond adequately to the program’s
requirements.
I would be honoured if you gave me the opportunity to commence my new academic journey
at Robert Gordon University. Thank you for the time you invested in consideration of my
application.
I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,
Eleni Chatzi