5 Tips On How To Write Erasmus Motivation Letter In 2024 [With Examples]

Published March 18, 2023 · · Updated September 8, 2024 · 7 minutes · by Kamerpower ·

5 Tips On How To Write Erasmus Motivation Letter [With Examples]. To prepare to write your motivation letter for the Erasmus program, you need to consider why you want to be part of the program and why you think you can excel in the program.  

Erasmus motivation letter is a decisive part of the Erasmus Exchange, and one must learn how to write it the best way. A motivation letter is similar to a cover letter.  A cover letter is for employment positions. You can use a motivation letter for almost anything.

In this article, you will learn tips on how you can Write an Erasmus Motivation letter. You can use these tips whether you are applying for a semester, a full year, or a traineeship.  The traineeship is a great opportunity to learn skills that will prepare you for your future career.  These programs can last from 2 to 12 months. 

What is Erasmus Motivation Letter for Application

The motivation letter allows you to ensure that anyone reviewing your application will have the chance to understand why you are applying for the program.  A strong letter will show why you should be chosen over other candidates.  It shows your passion for the program and what you hope to attain from being part of the Erasmus program.

Basic structure for Erasmus Motivation Letter

Introduction:

This is a simple paragraph with just a few sentences. You want to introduce yourself, what you’re interested in and a sentence or two about why you think you would make a great candidate.

Body:

This is the bulk of your letter.  Usually, 1-3 paragraphs are enough. For a program like the Erasmus program, it’s worth discussing why you want to be part of the program.  It’s great if you can make a connection from your background or goals to tie them to the social benefits and goals of the Erasmus program.

Conclusion:

One closing paragraph thanking them for their time.  Offer to meet with them or have a call for any questions and provide your contact information so that it’s easy.

Why is important to write a good Erasmus motivation letter?

The motivation letter helps you make sure that anyone who looks at your application will be able to figure out why you want to be in the program. A strong letter will show why you should be chosen over other people.

With more than 4,000 schools and more than 30countries taking part, there are a lot of opportunities and benefits to a program with this much reach. Due to its competitive nature, you want to make sure that when you apply for the Erasmus Program, you look as competitive as possible.

Guide on how to write the Erasmus motivational letter

Gather your ideas together then, divide them into personal motivations and academic reasons that push you to go on Erasmus. personal motivations includes interest in a culture, a language or a country in general and academic reasons includes all the characteristics of the universityyou choose that could improve and enrich you academically speaking. For example, a particular course you are interested in.

1. Be polite and respectful

you want to make sure your letter uses the correct tone. You want to be polite and respectful, but not too stale. You want to be a real person and tell a real story. After all, your goal is to inspire readers to choose you. However, you want to understand their roles.

2. Introduce yourself

In this phase, we will be dealing with the introduction of the Erasmus motivational letter. Here you should write a short presentation of yourself. Highlight your qualities, but only the ones related to your desire to leave. Let me explain. It doesn’t matter if you are generous, nice or a good cook. Instead, talk about your academic career. For example, you could stress what has always distinguished you in your studies.

3. Motivate your choice in the Body of the letter

For a program like the Erasmus program, it’s worth discussing why you want to be part of the program.  It’s great if you can make a connection from your background or goals to tie them to the social benefits and goals of the Erasmus program. Start with the column of the academic motivations that made you choose to spend time at a foreign university. This is the most concrete and practical point: make it original so that you can convince the committee to choose you.

Include in the text all the most convincing points of the list and go deeper into those topics. Show the lecturers that you have gathered information about what the course offers. Most importantly, make them understand that your only goal is not to visit pubs and breweries. Then, show them your curiosity about the destination.

Explain why and where you would like to participate in the Erasmus program. Don’t forget to mention that you want to benefit from the scholarship as financial support will help you fund this experience. You should also talk about your academic achievements. The best way to present yourself is to talk about your successes and titles won and your training goals. Try to highlight how your stay in Spain has a positive impact on your career and why.

4. Write your Summary sentence

Write down what it would mean for you to take part in the Erasmus programme and thank whoever is reading your letter for their attention and remember to address the professor politely. This is because he or she has a difficult task: reading thousands of motivational letters. Then end with ‘I hope you will consider my application’.

5. Check Your Grammar and Spelling

Review your letter for proper grammar, language usage and punctuation.  A great tool for this and checking your spelling is Grammarly.  The free version will call out most of the largest grammar errors.  It also has the added benefit of pointing out most issues when you use the wrong word (“to” versus “too”). At a minimum use a spell checker.  This won’t check everything but will eliminate the largest errors.

Sample Erasmus Motivation Letter Template

Example 1: Erasmus Motivation Letter for scholarship template

Subject: Motivation Letter for Erasmus

Dear Sir/Madam, I’m pleased to commence writing my motivation letter for the Erasmus programme. Erasmus is the dream that I have dreamt of whole my life ever since I enrolled for my senior secondary education. With this motivation letter, I don’t think I can express my motivation in a justified manner. Yet, I’m trying my best to express my strong urge to be part of the Erasmus programme.

I finished my bachelor’s programme in international work and culture last year. I’m currently studying the same stream in my master’s as well. Further, I want to get into the phd and conduct my research in the same domain. So, therefore Erasmus is the dream landing platform to land me on my dream platform.

I believe I can learn and get the best possible exposure of international culture at the Erasmus. I understand the value of the programme and hence I’m immensely
diligent to make the most of it.

Thanks & Regards,
Jane Doe.

2. Example Student exchange motivation letter example

Dear Sir/Madame,

I have learned that [University Mame] offers its students the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus program. I am aware of the importance of being part of this project and am writing to you with the firm intention to apply for one of the available scholarships.

I am currently in my last year at middle school ……………….. In such a situation I understand that this is an ideal opportunity for me. Firstly, I was able to benefit from the high level of cooperation between the Italian region in which I want to do internships and very important companies in the industry.

Second, because it would allow me to perfect a language as well as Italian, it would also allow me to get closer and get to know cultures from all over the world, which undoubtedly completes my academic education in an extraordinary way. If I want to take part in the Erasmus program, I am aware of the opportunity I have in front of me and therefore I am convinced that I can make the best of it.

Nonetheless, I consider it a unique opportunity to make a qualitative leap if I finish my higher-level studies with an excellent curriculum that will undoubtedly translate into better prospects for me in my future work.

Sincerely
[Your name].

How to write a motivation letter for traineeships

1. Link your achievements to how they can contribute to the position

You certainly have achieved many things throughout your academic and personal life which could be an advantage to the position, but so have the rest of applicants. Hence, you shouldn’t aim to send a list with all your certificates since primary school to prove that your candidature excels among the rest.

2. Take into account the space and character limit

It may sound obvious, but this is one of the first things you should consider when you are going to draft your motivation letter. Usually, the range is between 1,000 and 2,000 characters, depending on the application, and this will affect what information you put in and how detailed it can be. 

3. Be selective

Having in mind the space you allocated, you should select very wisely what you are going to write. It’s likely that you have had various work-experiences (like summer jobs or part-time jobs in combination with your studies) or volunteering activities before, but you should only consider them if they relate to the position you are applying for.

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