PERSONAL STATEMENT

I am Kariza Kyle T. Briones, 26 years old, and I am writing to apply as a student

pursuing a graduate diploma in applied management at your Institution. I am a
lifelong learner and I enjoy learning new things. Also, I am the kind of person who
loves to study and learn more about the field of study and of course the
environment. Aside from that, I also wanted to learn more about New Zealand,
and the different cultures of the country. Although podcasts or videos are offering
virtual tours in the place it will still be different from being able to see it and
experience it firsthand.

In addition, I never stopped gaining more knowledge even when I graduated from
the university. I finished a bachelor’s degree in Accounting Technology at one of
the well-known universities in the Philippines. In my academic years, I had work
experience as a student trainee in one of the government banks dealing with
consultancy work on book of accounts, investments and loans of small to medium
enterprises. I also had financial markets training in Bloomberg Philippines and
Singapore where I dealt with, mutual funds, forex, and stock markets. After that
endeavor, I became a Certified Financial Markets Professional. I also had
academic units in law.

After my student career, I had my first job for one year as an Operation Analyst in
the ICT Department in one of the Cooperative Federations in the Philippines. I was
tasked to check and balance accounting books and supervise the staff. I also
worked as a financial officer for 6 months on one of the projects at the University.
My tasks were preparing the accounting books, budget proposal, and financial
plans for the project. For another 6 months during the pandemic, I started
working in the local government unit in my hometown as an Accounting Clerk, the
job mostly was focusing on preparing the payroll and accounting vouchers for any
transactions the unit incurred. Currently, I am working as a virtual assistant at a
Law firm overseas.

Moreover, I aimed to study for the graduate diploma in applied management in

ARA because of the wide array the pathway offers. I also wanted to be equipped
in the field of business and management, whether in my daily life or in my career,
given that it will be a great opportunity for me to study applied management in
the international arena. Aside from that, applied management is one of the skills
needed to be able to. Furthermore, I am an advocate when it comes to business
and financial literacy and learning from your institution will capacitate me to be
competent in my future dealings.

Ara is a great choice for international students given that it offers a lot of student
service support and opportunities for them to develop their skills and knowledge.
I also researched that Ara focuses on the balance between theories and hands-on
skills which is efficient for me as a visual learner. New Zealand is one of the
student's choices to study given that it is diverse and very open to different
cultures and races. The country’s top priority is respecting the equal rights of the
people which is important. The country is one of the champions when it comes to
the call for climate change and when it comes to human, corporate, and labor
rights whether in society, business, or government. As a person who is an
advocate for the environment, financial, business, and human rights it is very
interesting to learn more from the country.

Part of my goal is to gain more knowledge and skills in the field of business. My
aim is to gain international qualifications and work experience to be globally
competitive. I also aim to work in big accounting firms to hone and develop my
skills and maybe in the future be one of the top management assets in the
industry.