Are you looking for a concise piece of information on how to write an Erasmus Motivation Letter? if your answer to this question is a yes, then read this article to the end.
We have written extensively some of the things needed to write an effective motivation letter for the Erasmus program including written and pictorial samples to serve as a guide for you.
All you need to do is grab a bottle of Coke and read this article to the end and you will be happy you did.
Erasmus’s motivation letter is a decisive part of the Erasmus Exchange, and one must learn how to write it the best way. In this article, we have put together the steps, with an example of how to write the Erasmus Motivation or cover letter as some people call it.
What is a Motivation Letter?
The letter of motivation is a document with a maximum length of one page to which the curriculum vitae is attached. The purpose of this letter is to introduce you, and briefly describe your academic background and the reasons why you want and deserve the opportunity you are applying.
To make it easier for you to get started, you should be clear about the structure of your letter. This is the information that should be included in an Erasmus motivation or cover letter:
- Contact information
- Name and surname
- Date of birth
- Date of birth
- Contact information such as email and phone.
- City and date you wrote the letter.
- Courtesy of greetings
Why Write a Motivation Letter for Erasmus?
A letter of motivation provides you with the rare chance to make sure that anyone reviewing your application is able to understand why you are applying to the program in the first place.
A strong and well-written letter will show why you should be selected over other applicants. It explains your enthusiasm for the program and what you hope to gain by participating in the Erasmus program. You need to tell a story to inspire readers to find you worthy of receiving the award.
Preparing to write a motivation letter for the Erasmus program
Before you think of applying for the Erasmus program and writing the motivation letter, you should know why you want to be a part of the program as this will help you write an effective motivation letter.
Knowing why you wish to be a part of the program is the bedrock for excelling in the program. The following questions are some of the questions that will help you write an effective Erasmus motivation letter for a scholarship application.
- What is your background makes you competitive? – What courses, jobs or real-life experiences do you have that can help you enrol in the Erasmus program?
- What are your long-term career or educational goals – this has to do with where you see yourself in the next few years academically and career-wise
- How will the Erasmus experience help you achieve your goals? – After completing your Erasmus experience, how will it prepare you for the future you want? Consider things like cultural awareness, education, living in a brand new country or other things concerning the Erasmus program that make it unique.
The above questions will be the guide that will come in handy when writing your motivation letter and we have also stated below some of the recommended structures that your Erasmus motivation letter should take.
Recommended Structure for Erasmus Motivation Letter
We recommend a three-part structure for all motivation letters. Here is the basic structure:
- Introduction – This paragraph should have a few sentences – and this is the part where you introduce yourself, and what you are interested in and also make it clear why you are participating in the Erasmus program.
- Body – This is the body of your letter. Usually, 1-3 paragraphs are sufficient.
- Conclusion – The last paragraph is to thank them for their time. Propose to meet or have a call with them for any further questions and include your contact information so they can reach you easily.
In the first paragraph:
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.
In the second paragraph:
You should 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 had a positive impact on your career and why.
Remember that an Erasmus abroad not only gives you an academic level but also enriches you on a personal level.
Best Format for an Erasmus Program Motivation Letter
There is nothing like the best format for a motivation letter for an Erasmus application. A lot depends on the application that the letter only – you can include it in your email, or you can send the actual physical letter. Irrespective of how you send it, make sure formatted well and looks professional.
Because of this, we have decided to include a sample motivation letter to serve as a guide for you. Many of us don’t write letters anymore, and there’s a sample to help you format your letter properly.
Here is a short list of things to check before you send your letter.
- Check your spelling. At least use a spell checker. This won’t check everything but will remove the biggest errors.
- Check your grammar – Check your letters for correct grammar, language usage and punctuation. Grammarly is a great tool for checking your spelling. The free version will point out most of the biggest grammar mistakes. It also has the added benefit of pointing out most problems when you use the wrong words (“to” vs “too”).
- 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.
The Erasmus programme has “a strong focus on social inclusion, green and digital transformation, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.” You will need to consider these goals when completing your application. Saying you want to learn a language is fine, but it may be more important to consider talking about the societal benefits of the program and what it means to you as an individual.
Just do these few simple things to make your letter even better. This is an academic program for studying abroad. You want to be seen as an educated kind of person. It can be helpful to have others read and comment on your letter.
How do I write an Erasmus letter of motivation?
I will give you some advice as many of you have already sent emails asking for help or a sample letter. I think that’s because everyone is fixing everything for next year.
When writing a motivation letter, I recommend the following:
Be concise and Brief
Remember that the person reading your cover letter must read yours and hundreds of others. If you have to read more than you need it will drive you crazy. It’s not a good thing, the truth is that you might not even read it, but just in case you need to make sure it’s well-written.
Be polite, but not too polite.
Use formal terms in your Erasmus motivation or cover letter, but don’t write them as if you were writing Jane Eyre. Try to make reading fun.
Make sure your Motivation Letter for Erasmus is well structured.
It is vital to separate each paragraph with a space and not to write “Mazacote paragraphs”, large paragraphs that are very difficult to read. If you’re somewhat brave, you can also write more original, such as “10 reasons I think the Erasmus exchange would be a great opportunity for me,” and present it as another list. Lists that are used frequently in blogs etc. are much easier to read than the normal long text.
Do not use language as the sole reason you want to do the Erasmus exchange.
Above all, try to fix your attention on how it will help you with employment in the future. For example, I am sure that the university you are going to visit has something unique to offer that you can use in the future.
Don’t try to make it too emotional.
You are not writing the Erasmus motivation or cover letter to your mother or a friend. Someone you’ve never met will read it along with hundreds of others, which makes you another piece of paper. You could be the best person in the world. Or you could be the embodiment of Cruella de Vil. So don’t try to make it too personal. Avoid writing about wanting to go to Paris to see your French friend you met there last summer.
The main thing is that you make it clear Erasmus is going to help you in the future.
Similar to the previous point, clearly you should speak about how you are going to experience a new culture and how this will be an enriching process, etc., but save this for the end. You can talk about and should emphasize, how the Erasmus exchange will open doors in the working world and give you a unique learning experience. Speak about the opportunity to know more about a completely new education system or if you are working, how you will acquire new skills and even perhaps specialize in these areas.
Write a concluding statement
Write something short and sweet that summarizes everything you have said. This will help make your message clear and make sure it sticks in the reader’s head.
An Example of a Good Erasmus Motivation Letter
You can find many examples of cover letters on the Internet, such as the following:
Elsa Román Garcia
C / Buenos aires 28 67584 Lugo
Tlf: 83736190
E-mail: [email protected]
IES DE FOZ
Rúa Castelao s / n
27780 Foz. Lugo
Dear Sirs,
I have learned that Foz IES 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 of applying 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 journey 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
Name
Erasmus Traineeship
Whether you’re applying for a semester, a full year, or a traineeship, you can use these tips. traineeships are a great opportunity to acquire skills that will get you prepared and ready for your future career. These traineeship programs can last from 2 to 12 months. You are even allowed to do more than a single traineeship.
If you haven’t decided where to go for your traineeship, you might want to look out for some of the best cities in Europe to do your Erasmus program. If you do good research you will see some of the best online platforms that will direct you to the best places and positions for Erasmus traineeship.
Sample Motivation Letter for Erasmus Program
The sample motivation letter for the Erasmus program below is just a guide, not the one you should submit. You can look at it and prepare yours effectively.
Most times, the hardest part of any writing is the starting part, but with the sample below you can start by transforming the story to your with respect to your story.
FAQ
How is a motivation letter for an Erasmus scholarship written?
Think deeply and organised yourself, then start by introducing yourself. Make sure your letter contains an introduction, the body of the letter, and a conclusion. Review your letter again to check for spelling and grammatical errors.
What should be the length of a motivation letter for Erasmus?
Depending on the information you decide to include in your letter and the kind of application you are making, your letter should be between 1000 to 2000 characters.
How is Erasmus Mundus’s motivation letter addressed?
You can start your letter with Dear Madam/Sir. And then the specific program you are applying for, who introduced you and the kind of studies you want to take in Europe.
Is GPA considered when applying for Erasmus?
Yes. Students will be selected first on the basis of academic Excellence, taking their GPA (grade point average) as a major criterion.
Yes, the selection committee will first consider students with good academic backgrounds and GPA will be the basis for this consideration.