Letter of motivation for an Msc.. please HELP!

Hi Im Carlos, from Ecuador. I am now applying for a master's programme in International Business. I have never written a motivation letter before so could someone please help me to revise it?
Please check both substance and form mistakes, because English is not my native language.
Thanks a lot...

Here it is:

Dear Sir or Madame:

I hereby take this opportunity to express my most fervent desire to be taken into account to be part of your most prestigious university. I am applying to the Master’s in XXXXXX program for the period 2009/2010.

Please allow me to briefly introduce myself, I am a young Ecuadorian professional, I have graduated from the university of: ____, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, majoring in International Business and Finance. I have completed all the required undergraduate courses with satisfactory scores.

While growing up and being part of a family business all the experiences I had instilled in me a desire to own and manage my own business someday, yet I understand that the business world today is more complex. This complexity requires more education, and with that in mind, I would like to accomplish all my academic endeavors there at your university.

I have a special interest in international business and its overall approach. This interest originated some years ago when I started to feel an attraction for business, and businesses with their processes, both financial and operational management. I tend to look at businesses from a global view and I feel attracted in particular to those businesses involving with international relations. That was one of the most powerful reasons for my decision in studying my Bachelor’s Degree, and I believe that I was not wrong in doing so. I can assert that I have fully taken advantage of each and every course I have had to take. When it came to the time of organizing hands on practices at my home University it had good initiatives in giving projects, which helped me to deepen my knowledge in subjects such as exportation. I had the opportunity to work on business model that exported products that have not yet been exploited in my homeland. I remember the projects were based on innovation and in service-driven marketplaces it was quite interesting.

I believe that not only is academic important, I also devoted time to some extra curriculum activities parallel to my studies in various fields. During my last year at the university I had the opportunity to represent more than two thousand students, as Acting President of the Student Association of my faculty. It was an ambitious and challenging project that required much of my time and dedication, but the sacrifice was definitely worth it, because it left positive experiences. I realized that it has helped me to develop new skills that I did not know I had. I feel great satisfaction having left an imprint at the place where I studied for more than four years, and what I consider the most important, I made valuable friends.

For all these reasons, I can say that I am satisfied with what I have achieved thus far, but at the same time I am eager to begin with my next goal in life, which is to further my education. I strongly believe that your university and its program in _______ is much more than a good choice, it can provide the tools necessary to help me accomplish all my goals.

My interest in the University of _____ was due to all the attractive features are offered there are. The university’s history and academic standards are unquestionable, as well as other attractive features such as its location and multicultural environment. I have a strong desire to enrich myself with knowledge in a learning center such as prestigious as yours. I am sure that after completing a master's degree in ____, I will be much more equipped to undertake all the projects that I had planned to complete after obtaining my bachelor’s degree.

My goals are divided into short and long term. In the short term I plan to be the protagonist of the expansion and internationalization of the firm for which I work for now, and get a higher profile role, this will help me gain more experience, which is a perfect complement to an excellent academic preparation. In the long term, I intend to develop a business plan in my country that pursues what I consider the greatest needs of the Latin Americans, based on productivity, fresh ideas and innovation. In other words, I intend to create a business with the aim not only to contribute with new jobs for society, but to spread a sense of leadership, and a desire to better themselves in every aspect. I want to influence young people to follow the same path as I, the path of educating themselves.

In many countries like mine there are so many things that have remain undone, I firmly believe that with an excellent education I will be able to contribute in its development. I am sure I will meet that challenge in a very responsible manner. I am more than motivated to fully take on the opportunity in being able to study in your university. I hope that my assets in personal qualities, a solid educational background, and my positive experiences will assist me for you to consider me as an appropriate prospect.

Thank you very much for consideration. I look forward in receiving your reply.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXXXX