My decision to study at Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) is influenced by the fact that SMU is a renowned maritime university which has partnerships with renowned universities like Regional Maritime University as well as other noted shipping organizations and institutions like International Maritime Organization (IMO). SMU is an excellent centre for maritime education and has a strong research base to enable efficient and effective studies and research. Again after completion, there are great employment prospects available in shipping companies, government institutions and the likes. Furthermore, SMU welcomes foreign students to receive training and education to enable them to become the backbone of world’s shipping industry as well as the maritime field and other disciplines in general and that being said, i would like to take advantage and be a part of this great institution. I am convinced that SMU will give me the best training I need in order to achieve my goals of becoming an expert in International Trade issues.