Volunteering Personal Statement

The hope of wanting to help people when they are most in need, and becoming equipped with the essential skills in order to do so has motivated me to apply to volunteer for St John Ambulance as a first aider.

I understand that in an emergency the time and the measure taken by the first responder are crucial, and therefore I am eager to not only learn about first aid in theory, but also to gain practical experience through the volunteer work. I wish to be able to take action in an emergent situation, instead of falling into panic and being unable to offer a hand of help due to the lack of practice. The volunteering experience would consolidate my own learning in the classroom as a medical student as well, making the connection more apparent between

1. I have volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital in Tokyo, Japan where I worked at the paediatrics department. I had chances to talk to the patients and their families, and also witness the daily occurrences in the hospital. Through this I came to recognize that care is built on the teamwork between professionals and the trusting relationship between the care-giver and the patient.

2. During high school, I have worked in the Student Representative Council as the head of the Arts Committee. The experience of initiating and organising events allowed me to learn the importance of smooth communication within the committee members for mitigation, and with the superior governing bodies such as the executives of the council and the school office as well as teachers and sometimes parents for negotiation. It also led to the recognition of the time and effort people put behind every activity.

3. The participation in numerous oral presentation forums such as the Model United Nations and Global Young Leadership Conference also gave me the opportunity practice public speaking, and to work cooperatively with others, especially those that I have met for the first