Graduate School

I wanted to post the text of my letter of intent for graduate school. I would love to hear what any and all of you have to say about it. I can't wait to get started with school again, but I guess I have to get accepted to the program first. Sorry for the short sentences it had to be less than 500 words. Anyways here it is:

Over ten years ago I lived in the Dominican Republic as a missionary. It was an enriching experience that has blessed my life in many ways. I learned to speak Spanish. I discovered new cultures. I saw unbelievable poverty. I was amazed at the resiliency of the people there. I began to understand that there is much more to life than what we own. After two years I returned home. I soon was married and began a family. I also started college. I decided to study history.
My undergraduate work was completed at Portland State University. I studied as much as possible about the land I had lived in and had grown to love as my own. I studied politics, culture, race, and even baseball. I enjoyed sharing what I learned with fellow students. I loved the chase of a fresh topic and the research involved to write about it. After five years I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Minor in Spanish.
I was very busy during school. I worked full time as a loan processor. As the sole provider for my family I had to work extremely hard to find time for every aspect of my life. I worked, studied, and nurtured a young family. Through it all I managed to graduate with a respectable grade point average, and a thirst to continue my education.
I applied and was accepted to Washington State University Vancouver. I was excited to begin a Masters program in History. However, as the term started the economy went sour. I was laid off. I informed the school I would not be attending classes. I decided to use my degree immediately to teach high school. The next two years were filled with substitute teaching and working as a special education aide. When the school year ended I knew it was time to finish what I had only briefly started.
I am now applying to the graduate program at UTSA. I am excited to learn more about history, the methods of teaching, and research. I look forward to using primary sources in Spanish. I am fascinated with stories about immigration. I enjoy seeing how immigrants assimilate into American culture, and how they introduce their own cultural traits to American society. I also want to explore the topic of race in the Dominican Republic, and how it is different from racism in other parts of the world.
I plan to finish my Masters degree in History and use that as a stepping stone to earn my Doctoral degree. I want to research, write books, and share what I learn with others, both in print and in the classroom as well. I look forward to working with the staff and graduate students at UTSA. I know they will invigorate my education, and help me to learn and grow as a historian. I also know that my knowledge will help others to learn and to succeed in their educational goals and aspirations.