Hello to everyone. I am trying to apply for an academic year at a University in Jacksonville. Now I have to write a motivation letter and hand it in on wednesday. I spend a lot of time writing it and now I really hope that someone can help me read over it and tell me if something is very, very wrong or bad. I know, its a big favour I am asking for because the letter is very long......but I hope someone finds time to do it. Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance!!! If someone needs help with german, russian or spanish I can help you too ;-)

So , here´s the letter:

Why I am highly motivated to study one year at the

University of North Florida, Jacksonville

Dear Sir or Madam,



my name is Julia *** and with this letter I would like to explain my motivaiton for studying two semesters at the University of North Florida .

I´m 22 years old and studying in the third semester at the Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg. My directed interest towards economy and an international education led me to the decision to attend the “European Economics Studies” Bachelor programme.

One of the main reasons to choose this programme was the obligatory academic year abroad. Two semester at a foreign college offers a lot of chances: giving material for new perspectives and ideas,establishing new connections, and last but not least it provides the opportunity to identify additional strength and weaknesses.



I am dreaming of going abroad to the USA. In terms of culture , and especially economy and politics, nowadays no one can deny that the United States of America fill an unique position in the current world affairs. This omnipresent appearance and involvation awaked my interest in the country. Caused by my migration from Kazachstan I have always been very open to new people and grew up in an multicultural environment. This fact tought me the importance of understanding and getting involved with different cultures and mentalities.



Furthermore during my stays abroad I came to know how much the experiences in a foreign culture may influence your own mind and thinkings. Just this experiences made me understand aspects of my own cultur and society I have never noticed before. With view to the anglo-american space and especially Jacksonville as a steady growing center of commerce I consider it as particulary attractives to see how it will influence my present angle.



Beeing an ambitious person with a wide range of interest there are other reasons beside the not unimportant experience of life which make me arrive to the decision that a adacemic year at the University of North Florida will complement my education best possible. The University of North Florida, considering field reports, internet presence and personal conversations, give me the impression of being an educational institution which is able to encourage and support their students. Especially I, as/beeing (?) a german student, am impressed by the minimized courses, the way of teaching which is complemented by practical experience and the face-to-face relationship to the lecturers.

I am a person who is communicative, inquiring and likes to work in teams. For this reason I appreciate this system of personal relationship and nearness.



Another reason that makes me confident that University of North Florida is the best University for shaping my future the way I imagine is the large variety of the courses offered. This fact povides me the opportunity to create my way of education as individual as possible.

During my six-month internship in Costa Rica and the following travels through Central America it became clear to me that , after my studies, I want to participate in the sustainable economical Development of Third World- and Developing Countries.For example I would love to work as part of the german GTZ company. With courses like “Current Issues in the Economy of Latin America”,” Third World Politics” and ”International Trade” the UNF offers me the opportunity to put first focuses on my field of interest. This chance makes the University of North Florida become even more unique for me.



Beside my studies in Bamberg I am member of a consulting business run by students , I participate in the organizasations for a group tour for over 100 freshman students, spend time as a volunteer in a National Park in Costa Rica and spend as much time as possible with sports. Activity for me acts as a perfect counterbalance to my studies. Therefor this aspect was very significant for me in connection with my decision.

Since almost 5 years I am a passionated sailor and wind-surfer. I was pleased to hear about the univesitary surfteam which creates a perfect combination of social work in form of beach cleaning, fund-raisings and the sport in/by itself. It is the first time that I hear of such a combination. This kind of activity impresses and attracts me. I can really imagine taking part in this team´s work and supporting it with my experiences and ideas.



Thinking about the Univesity of North Florida I am very determined to having found a University which combines all the aspects which are important for a succesfull year abroad. The University is up to the standard I ever imagined it to be, the course offers meet my expectations perfectly and Jacksonville itself attracts me with its multicultural population, its steady growing structure, and offer of activities. The USA, is a phenomenon for me, famous for their tolerance and openness, their living of the american dream and their uniqueness.



In my academic year abroad one of my aims is to be able to judge personaly about information delivered by media or impressions given by personal report about the USA. I want to make my own opinion, confirm or refuse and understand by beeing part of the country.





„Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”



said once the famous football coach Lou Holtz in order to support his team. This words staid in my mind and explain best my attitude. I am very confident about my decision to enhance my education with a academic year at the Univesity of North Florida, and I feel I will be able to excel in my studies abroad, because it is something that I am extremely interested in doing and that I will enjoy doing.



In the end it is for you to decide if I will be able to make my “german dream” become reality.



Thank you very much for your time and considering my request. I am looking forward to your reply.



Yours faithfully,

***