ERASMUS APPLICATION LETTER

Looking among my documents I found my moyivation letter for the application to the erasmus programme. I decided to post it on my blog in order to give some inspiration to someone who is going to write one but does not know from where to start. Usually two cover letters are required: a first one to your home university and a second one to the hosting university. Both my letters are to be found here below:

To my home university:

Enrico Porceddu

Fakestreet 18

12345, London

14^th January 2014

Object: letter of motivation for “ERASMUS Plus” Programme

Dear committee of selection,

This letter represents my will and wish to take part to an Erasmus exchange study programme during the third semester of my study course (Fall 2014/15). Searching, evaluating and choosing a partner university turned to be a harder issue than I could imagine, but at the end, the NHTV International University of Breda in the Netherlands, was able to attract my attention becoming my first choice.

My name is Enrico, I am 22 years old and I am currently studying at the first semester of the Tourism and Leisure Management bachelor programme. Since I am Italian and I study in Austria, after having studied for one year in Sweden and spent two years in Germany as a worker, a new experience as an Erasmus student would consolidate my European education as well as my professional competence. Taking part to the exchange semester would give me a chance to enlarge both my professional and academic networks, leaving space for new ideas, projects and collaborations to be developed. Moreover, I also love the idea of jumping into a new culture, together with the consequent challenges such as language, new communication patterns and much more.

My experience as traveller taught me that every place has something worth to be discovered, understood and enjoyed. Therefore, the main criteria that motivated my choices are actually my projects of working in a European context. In the following rows, I will motivate my decisions more in-depth.

My first choice, the NHTV University in Breda appears to be the best solution, matching both a step forward to my projects and my wish to face new challenges. Since the Netherlands represents one of the most flourishing European countries in terms of tourism and leisure, gaining a well-defined knowledge about its tourism market seems to be a good reason for spending my semester there. Concerning the university, it provides enough material in its website, giving a convincing preview about its offer and characteristics; personally, I think that its prospect reflects professionalism and high-competences. Another point that I took into consideration is the geographical location of the city. In fact, its position would allow me to apply more accurately for an internship in Belgium during the fourth semester, hopefully in the European Travel Commission; if this will not be possible, staying in the Netherlands and working for Booking.com would also be a great possibility. A new language to be learned is definitely another strong source of motivation and a new adventure worth to be undertaken; some Dutch basics could result useful along my professional career.

My second choice is the Yasar University of Izmir in Turkey. This chance is at least as wished as the first one. I think that studying in Turkey would constitute a real change, a substantial shift in my life, literally like jumping into another dimension. As for the Netherlands, also Turkey would be very useful experience in a European context. In fact, getting to know the society and politics of one of the possible next new entrants of the EU, would may turn to be a great advantage in professional terms. The university is well promoted, the website provides almost all information needed to take such a decision and last but not the least many positive feedbacks are available online. Another highlight to be considered is the Turkish tourism industry, which represents a relatively new trend within the European market with high-growth potential. Concerning the language, though five months would not be enough for learning Turkish, it would be nice to get some basics.

My third preference is the Spanish university of Zaragoza. A semester of study in Spain would be an occasion to get to know a country that I have always loved and where I have been travelling quite a lot when I was younger. When I attended the Student Fair in December, I really enjoyed the descriptions and talks by the Spanish exchange students, who woke up my curiosity and interest. Such an experience would also consolidate my Spanish language skills, giving me more security and increasing my self-confidence in a possible Hispanic environment.

With this letter, I officially apply for a position in an Erasmus Programme.

With the hope that my motivations have been convincing enough, I thank you in advance for the attention paid to my application.

Best Regards,

Enrico Porceddu

To the hosting university:

nrico Porceddu

Fakestreet 18

12345, London

  

17^th April 2014

Object: letter of motivation for “ERASMUS Programme” in the NHTV University of Breda

Dear NHTV Officers,

With this letter, I express my will and wish to take part to the Erasmus exchange study programme in the NHTV University of Breda, during the third semester of my study course at the IMC University of Krems (Fall 2014/15). Your institution, strong of its name and its image, was able to attract my attention and become my first choice.

My name is Enrico, I am 22 years old and I am currently studying at the second semester of the Tourism and Leisure Management bachelor programme. Since I am Italian and I study in Austria, after having studied for one year in Sweden and spent two years in Germany as a worker, a new experience as an Erasmus student would consolidate my European education as well as my professional competences. Taking part to the exchange semester at your Institution would give me a chance to enlarge both my professional and academic networks, leaving space for new ideas, projects and collaborations to be developed. Moreover, I also love the idea of jumping into a new culture, together with the consequent challenges such as language, new communication patterns and much more.

My experience as traveller taught me that every place has something worth to be discovered, understood and enjoyed. Therefore, the main criteria that motivated my choice are actually my projects of working in a European context and the will to get in touch with a rich culture such as the Dutch one. Here below I will motivate my choice more in-depth.

The NHTV University in Breda appeared to be the best possibility since the very beginning of my Erasmus application, matching both a step forward to my projects and my wish to face new life-challenges. Since the Netherlands represent one of the most flourishing European countries in terms of tourism and leisure, gaining a well-defined knowledge about its tourism market seems to be a good reason for spending my semester there, the experience would certainly provide me with a better comprehension of many specialized tourism-branches. Concerning the study offer, the NHTV provides enough material in its website, giving a convincing preview about its offer and characteristics. Personally, I belief that your Institution reflects professionalism and high-competences. Another point that I took into consideration is the geographical location of the city. In fact, its position would allow me to apply more accurately for an internship in Belgium during the fourth semester, hopefully in the European Parliament; if this will not be possible, staying in the Netherlands would be my second great option, where I would like to work for Booking.com or for a renowned tourism consultancy group. A new language to be learned is definitely another strong source of motivation and a new adventure worth to be undertaken; some Dutch basics could definitely result useful along my professional career.

With this letter, I officially apply for a position as Erasmus Exchange Student at your Institution.

I hope that my motivations were able to convince you about my will to be part of your Institution and I thank you in advance for the attention paid to my application.

Best Regards,

Enrico Porceddu