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Arielle Brooks

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Finalist

Bio

I am very interested in and passionate about human rights and want to pursue a career in the field. I specifically have an interest in the human rights issues in North Korea and work with refugees. My dream is to work with an NGO like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, or Liberty In North Korea.

Education

Spartanburg Community College

Associate's degree program
2026 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
    • International/Globalization Studies

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • International/Globalization Studies
    • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      International Affairs

    • Dream career goals:

      Human Rights Activist

    • Server

      Multiple
      2006 – Present20 years

    Arts

    • High school as well as multiple community theatres in my area.

      Theatre
      2005 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    New Light: Illuminating Your Future Scholarship
    Growing up in the Jehovah's Witnesses, I was asked by others in the congregation throughout my childhood, especially during my teen years as I approached high school graduation and adulthood, what my goals were for the future. These questions were regarding my spiritual goals and not my professional goals since, in their view, those were irrelevant. I recall one elder saying in a talk that 'trying to make it in this system is like going someplace that is going out of business and asking for a job'. I have seen parts of the broadcast led by Anthony Morris saying that 'we won't need doctors or lawyers in the new system'. The Jehovah's Witnesses don't see the point in pursuing a career in this day and age, believing that the world as we all know it is going to end anyway, and they look down upon higher education. While I don't have the interest or the stomach to become a doctor, becoming a Human Rights Lawyer is something I'm giving thought to now that I have the freedom to decide for myself what I want my future to look like when I finish my secular education. If I decide not to pursue Law School, then my goal is to be a Human Rights Advocate. My interest in Human Rights has always been there, lingering under the surface of my dreams, especially as I became aware in recent years of the egregious human rights violations in North Korea, but also in Palestine, Turkmenistan, and Russia. North Korea is the one that really resonates with me because, to an extent, I can empathize with having no freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or freedom of self-expression after growing up in what many describe as a high-control group at best or a cult at worst. When the North Korean people step out of line or attempt to leave, the individuals and their families are imprisoned in an internment camp or executed. Jehovah's Witnesses don't involve themselves in world affairs such as that unless their own members are directly affected. They wait for their God to bring about their new world, where the leaders committing those crimes against humanity will no longer be an issue. Considering the Jehovah's Witnesses' continuous record of failed prophecies speaks for itself that divine intervention is unlikely in the near future, I'm not content to sit back and wait for a day of divine retribution to come about. I want to do something with my life in my own way, which I will admit has always been there. I want to make a difference and help people, really help people who need it, which is why advocacy calls to me so strongly. I have my future for the most part mapped out to make that happen. Beginning with attending community college on the university transfer track before transferring to a university within the next year or two. Likely to Georgia State to double major in Global Studies and Asian Studies. Afterwards, my dream is to go to Grad School at Korea University in Seoul to pursue a more in-depth study of the Korean Language and North Korean Studies. Afterwards, perhaps to Human Rights Law or working with Liberty In North Korea or Amnesty International. My goals are loftier and more ambitious than the Jehovah's Witnesses would like to see in one of their members. However, I haven't been one of them in thought since I was a pre-teen and haven't lived the facade in many years. They no longer decide my future, and I'm taking full advantage of that freedom.