普林斯顿大学
Personal Statement范文
前言 |
这篇 PS 的成功，并不在于它写了多么特别的事，而在于它始终围绕“如何学习”展开。从好奇心出发，用行动验证，再回到自我认知与长期目标。这正是优秀个人陈述最打动招生官的地方：不是你学了什么，而是你是怎样成为一个不断成长的人。
Part.01
核心价值与动机引入
In a world saturated with information and rapidly evolving knowledge, I’ve always believed that the zest for continuous learning is the compass that keeps one oriented. This belief led me on an unexpected journey to Seville, Spain, not for its historical cathedrals or tantalizing tapas, but to delve deep into the passionate world of Flamenco dancing. While this might seem an unconventional choice for a software engineer, it is this very expedition beyond the four walls of my professional domain that reaffirmed my commitment to lifelong learning.
在信息充斥、知识快速发展的世界里，我一直相信，持续学习的热情就是指引方向的指南针。这种信念让我踏上了一段意想不到的旅程，前往西班牙塞维利亚，不是为了那里的历史大教堂或诱人的小吃，而是为了深入探索充满激情的弗拉门戈舞蹈世界。虽然这对软件工程师来说似乎有些不寻常，但正是这次走出职业领域四面墙的探险，重新坚定了我终身学习的决心。
Part.02
兴趣起源与情感触发
My infatuation with Flamenco began rather serendipitously. One evening, after hours of debugging a particularly stubborn piece of code, I stumbled upon a Flamenco performance online. The fiery footwork, profound emotions, and intricate hand movements were not just captivating but, in a way, therapeutic. What started as a casual viewing soon snowballed into a profound curiosity. I wanted to learn, not just replicate those dance moves, but to understand and imbibe the ethos of Flamenco.
我对弗拉门戈的迷恋起初颇为偶然。一天晚上，在调试一段特别顽固的代码几个小时后，我偶然发现了一场弗拉门戈的在线演出。那炽热的脚步、深刻的情感和复杂的手部动作不仅令人着迷，在某种程度上也具有疗愈效果。最初只是随意观看，逐渐演变成深刻的好奇心。我想学习，不仅仅是复制那些舞步，更想理解并吸收弗拉门戈的精神。
Part.03
主动选择与行动升级
Local dance schools offered Flamenco courses, but I yearned for a more authentic experience. Thus, armed with a beginner’s Spanish phrasebook and an insatiable enthusiasm, I found myself in Seville, the beating heart of Flamenco. Enrolling in ‘La Escuela de Baile,’ a renowned dance academy, was just the beginning. My intent was not just to learn the dance steps but to immerse myself in the culture, traditions, and stories that birthed Flamenco.
当地舞蹈学校开设了弗拉门戈课程，但我渴望更真实的体验。于是，带着一本初学者的西班牙语短语手册和无尽的热情，我来到了塞维利亚，这里是弗拉门戈的心脏。报名参加著名的舞蹈学院“La Escuela de Baile”只是开始。我的目的不仅仅是学习舞步，而是沉浸于孕育弗拉门戈的文化、传统和故事中。
Part.04
沉浸式学习过程
My days began with rigorous training under Maestra Isabella, whose stern demeanor was contrasted by her fluid, graceful dance movements. She emphasized that Flamenco wasn’t just about dance steps; it was a language, a form of expression, woven intricately with Spain’s tumultuous history and rich culture. Beyond the academy, I would frequent local ‘tablaos’ (Flamenco venues), absorbing live performances, engaging with performers, and even mustering the courage to showcase my nascent Flamenco skills on a few occasions.
我的日子始于在伊莎贝拉大师的严格训练下，她严肃的气质与流畅优雅的舞步形成鲜明对比。她强调弗拉门戈不仅仅是舞步;这是一种语言，一种表达形式，与西班牙动荡的历史和丰富的文化紧密交织在一起。在学院之外，我还常去当地的“tablaos”（弗拉门戈场所），聆听现场表演，与表演者互动，甚至鼓起勇气在几次场合展示我刚开始的弗拉门戈技巧。
However, the most enlightening experiences came from my interactions with the local populace. I remember vividly an evening at a local tavern when an elderly gentleman named Eduardo, upon learning of my Flamenco quest, regaled me with tales of Flamenco’s origins, its Romani influences, and its symbolism during the Franco regime. Through his stories, I began to see Flamenco not just as a dance form but as a reflection of resilience, passion, and the undying spirit of a community.
然而，最有启发性的经历来自我与当地居民的互动。我清晰记得有一个晚上，在当地一家酒馆，一位名叫爱德华多的老先生得知我追寻弗拉门戈后，向我讲述了弗拉门戈的起源、罗姆人的影响以及佛朗哥政权时期的象征意义。通过他的故事，我开始看到弗拉门戈不仅是一种舞蹈形式，更是坚韧、激情和社区不灭精神的体现。
Parallelly, my Spanish improved, not from structured classes but through organic conversations, grocery store negotiations, and the occasional humorous mix-ups. From a wary outsider, I gradually transformed into an active participant in Seville’s vibrant community, earning not just their respect but also their warm embrace.
与此同时，我的西班牙语水平也有所提升，不是通过结构化的课程，而是通过自然的对话、超市谈判和偶尔的幽默误会。从一个谨慎的局外人，我逐渐转变为塞维利亚充满活力社区的积极参与者，不仅赢得了他们的尊重，也赢得了温暖的拥抱。
Part.05
反思与能力迁移
Returning from Seville, the lessons I learned were manifold. Beyond the evident Flamenco skills and improved Spanish, this journey instilled in me a profound appreciation for experiential learning. Textbooks, online courses, or even traditional classrooms often provide structured, filtered knowledge. But immersing oneself in the cradle of a particular skill or tradition offers insights and nuances that conventional learning environments might overlook.
从塞维利亚回来后，我学到的教训多了许多。除了明显的弗拉门戈技巧和西班牙语的进步，这次旅程还让我深刻体会到体验式学习。教科书、在线课程，甚至传统课堂，通常都能提供结构化、筛选的知识。但沉浸在某项技能或传统的摇篮中，能带来传统学习环境可能忽视的洞见和细微差别。
Moreover, this expedition reiterated the importance of breaking silos. As a software engineer, delving into Flamenco was a departure from my comfort zone. But the analytical skills from my profession surprisingly enhanced my dance learning, helping me break down complex steps, recognize patterns, and even appreciate the rhythm and flow of the dance, drawing unexpected parallels to coding’s rhythm.
此外，这次考察再次强调打破壁垒的重要性。作为一名软件工程师，深入研究弗拉门戈让我走出了舒适区。但职业中的分析能力意外地提升了我的舞蹈学习，帮助我拆解复杂的舞步，识别模式，甚至欣赏舞蹈的节奏和流畅，这让我意外地与编程的节奏产生了相似之处。
Part.06
总结升华
In conclusion, my Flamenco sojourn in Seville was more than just picking up a new hobby; it was a testament to the boundless possibilities that open up when one commits to lifelong learning. It taught me the value of immersive experiences, the richness of cross-cultural exchanges, and the unparalleled growth that comes from stepping outside one’s professional or academic confines. As I navigate the vast seas of personal and professional life, this commitment to continuous learning remains my guiding star, reminding me that the world is an endless classroom, replete with lessons waiting to be discovered.
总之，我在塞维利亚的弗拉门戈之旅不仅仅是培养一个新爱好;这证明了当一个人致力于终身学习时，所开启的无限可能。它教会了我沉浸式体验的价值、跨文化交流的丰富性，以及跳出专业或学术界限所带来的无与伦比的成长。在我航行于个人与职业生活的浩机构洋中，这种持续学习的承诺始终是我的指引之星，提醒我世界是一间无尽的教室，充满了等待被发现的课程。
