Hillary J S

DOB: 10/04/1997

Nationality: New Zealand

BA degree

Personal Statement:

I am a 21year old girl, who has attended Waikato Diocesan School for girls from 2011 to 2014 (year 9-12) before getting accepted into Waikato University. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Social Sciences majoring in Political Science and Anthropology, set to graduate by the end of 2018. After initially studying a Bachelor of Law, I changed to a double major in political science and anthropology within the social science field and believe I made the right decision. I believe anthropology and political science have a mutually beneficial relationship and I am frequently able to see how applying an anthropological perspective to political scenarios and vice-versus can be mutually beneficial.  

After working odd jobs and in the family business for a number of years I believe I have acquired a hard-working attitude, I strive for best results in all aspects of what I do and work hard for my own personal or inter-personal satisfaction. I enjoy being involved within the community and am currently a Red Cross refugee support volunteer. My role is to work in a team to help with the integration of two Burmese refugees into the community over the course of 6-9 months, this has been a challenging yet very rewarding experience. 

My passions are travelling, keeping up with current affairs, the performing arts, pottery and keeping fit.I am able to work independently or as a team, and love spending time with my friends and family who describe me as friendly and approachable. I am not afraid to push my boundaries, enjoy a challenge and take everything on with a positive attitude. I consider myself able to adapt to new situations with ease and have the ability to get along with all kinds of people. Finally, I am reliable and honest and consider these traits fundamentally important for building strong and lasting relationships. 

Important events and achievements:

2013Waikato inline hockey team

2013Culinary fare gold medallist

2013Received house girdle for attitude and effort

2013Nominated for 2013 Inline Hockey Sports Woman by Secondary Sports Waikato

2013Passed NCEA level 1 with Merit Endorsement

2014Completed PADI Open Water Dive course 

2014Waikato Women’s Bronze Medalist NZ Inline Hockey Championship

2014First in class year 12 Geography Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.

2014Received Waikato Geographical Society Trophy

2014Passed NCEA level 2 Merit Endorsement 

2015Accepted into Waikato, Victoria and Otago University through Discretionary Entrance.

2015 Volunteered in a disaster relief programme in Nepal, following the April 2015 earthquake 

2016Promoted to Assistant manager Meccano Te Awa after 3 months’ retail experience  

2017 Qualified and trained Learn to Swim instructor for pre schhol and school age children

2017Travelled solo to Myanmar for 3 months and wrote a 10,000 word directed study report titled: ‘Myanmar’s Complex Transition to a Functioning Democracy.’

2018Red Cross Refugee Support Volunteer

2018 Currently enrolled in Māori language classes

2018Class representative, B semester

Work history:

·     For the past 7 years, and currently, I have worked on-off at ESPlastic’s, a plastic engineering company founded by my parents. This included holiday, weekend, as well as after-school work. The jobs have included working at reception, factory and warehouse work, answering phones, serving coffee, admin/filing, safety/quality specifications, as well as just helping out where need be. 

·     Retail assistant at Meccano Te Awa from July – October 2016, before my promotion to assistant manager until March 2017, after which I resigned from the full-time position as the hours were affecting my academic commitments. 

•    Swim Instructor at Hilton Brown Swimming School teaching pre-school and school age children how to Swim. April-September 2017.

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