We make decisions every single day.

Yet a network of rational and irrational

impulses, which make the formulation of laws of economics so difficult, drives
those decisions. What attracts me most about economics is that it combines the
insights of psychology with the laws of mathematics. Certain decisions sway ones
consumption patterns and in-turn their entire lives. My interest began when, as a
child, I discovered the theory of supply and demand, making a profit from selling
chocolate. I enjoy Economics as it applies to so many real-life situations and it
enables me to apply my mathematical knowledge to interpret economic theories.
Born in the UK, but having parents from both Iraq and Thailand, I have grown up
with stories of life there and seen for myself, the stark divisions between wealth
and poverty during my travels to Thailand. What captivated me the most about
the subject was the fact I could link theories that Ive learnt and apply them to the
situations in Thailand, such as the The Gini Coefficient. From conversing with the
locals, the disparity in income distribution was, in their opinion political, the lack
of government investment projects for the poorest of areas left them helpless. A
World Bank report I recently read stresses on a key variable for recovery is
political stability. This inisght lead onto an interest towards LEDCs, so I decided to
read the book Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. This gave
me a shocking image on the reality the people live in, and more intriguingly
connect with the theory of poverty trap from visiting the poor areas of Thailand.
What I deduced from this book was that these vicious cycles of poverty could last
many generations, furthermore teachers seemed focused on teaching a small
elite, and undervalue the regular students, which lead on to behavioral issues.
Along with this, the dynamic nature of Economics intrigued me, I found that it is a
broad subject with wide practical applications. These experiences have broadened
my ability within economics, as it has allowed me to take theories beyond the
books.
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I began to do further research outside of class, with subscribing to The
Economist along with further reading of The Financial Times brought me in touch
to the recent economic events, which also aided me to develop an interest in
stock markets, and the fluctuation of market prices. My interest in Economics and
Finance was cemented through my work experience placements at Total an oil
and gas company and Sanlam a corporate bank, where I was able to explore the
dynamic working environments, along with assisting in writing company reports
and participating in client meetings. These placements not only allowed me to
develop my leadership skills which I learnt in the inter-faith movement run by
local schools, where our project was to plan and lead seminars for primary schools
on the importance of exercise and nutrition, yet also demonstrated my ability to
work under pressure and within a team.
My other A levels also helped increase my understanding. Biology introduced me
to more abstract concepts along with conceptual problem solving, which allowed
me to grasp the more complex economic theories with ease. When approaching
said theories, my mathematical ability aided me by reinforcing answers and
opinions with numerical and graphical analysis. Additionally, Ive achieved two
bronzes and a silver award in the past three years of the Intermediate Maths
Challenge.
In School, I was elected as Sales and Marketing Director of my multi-award
winning Young Enterprise Company, where I worked with a team to create a
business plan for our product, whereby we progressed as a team to the
Cambridge Regional Finals, yet, also developed my skills of organisation,
management and budgeting to meet tough deadlines.
Outside of academia, I am strongly passionate about football, where Ive been
part of a Watford Division 2 team for 8 years. I am also a keen partaker in
Shotokan Karate, which I was attracted to by the reality-based and applied

approach to Karate, with its unique fighting style. Yet my favourite hobby is scuba
diving, where Ive luckily been able to explore some of the most beautiful reefs in
the world and Ive learnt how to make critical and decisive decisions under time
pressure, as well as appreciating how fragile our earth is. Recently, Ive spent
some afternoons at old age homes playing my guitar or simply talking to the
residents. It feels good to know that Ive lifted their moods and to connect with
other generations. A degree from your university will allow me challenge myself,
and grant my personality to shine simultaneously.