Letter of Motivation Guidance

Hello! I am applying for a scholarship for a Masters course on Public Policy in Germany. After a lot of thinking and research I came up with the following letter of motivation. Yet I think it has not been structured properly, can someone please guide me as to how to make the letter more effective?

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing for the application of the scholarship for studying the Masters course in Public Policy in H University. The purpose of my letter is to give reasons as to why I chose this particular course and why I think I am suitable for it.

After three years of studying in the G University I graduated this year with Economics as my major. I chose economics as it is a very dynamic subject. Studying Public Economics and International Trade encouraged me to study more regarding the functions of the government as a policy maker. The area of policy making has interested me since then. The course helped me inculcate an interest in the functioning of the government and analyzing it.

To better understand the role of economics in an international context I attended an extra course on Foreign Trade Management. Opting for Econometrics and Statistics has compounded my analytical skills and equipped me with the framework to analyze complex problems. Psychology has immensely increased my knowledge about the human mind and the various ways to deal with it. It has helped me understand economics better since the theory part of economics is dependent on the human psychology and nature.

Volunteering as a teacher in a blind school under the National service Scheme of the government of India, gave me an opportunity to interact with and understand the differently abled people on a personal basis. This opportunity helped me find an interest in the effects of the various government policies on the various types of people from different backgrounds.

I want to join the Indian Foreign Service as a diplomat in the future. A diplomat is expected to have a good knowledge about the public and foreign policies of her country. Having a deep knowledge of Public Policy will significantly contribute to my career.

Public policy and foreign policy may seem unrelated. But the fact is that they are interconnected and overlapping. I will hence be required to have a good and in-depth understanding of the policy making function of the government.

I was chosen to represent the G University for an inter-university exchange program with O University in Osaka, Japan. It gave me an opportunity to compare the two cultures. I was able to appreciate and learn from the Japanese culture on a first-hand basis. I took it as my responsibility to share and teach the other nationalities about India.

In Japan, I attended various classes including the Japanese language class. I was able to pick up Japanese conveniently because I have an interest in learning languages and with a proper guidance I can learn a language quickly.

I have stayed in a lot of places across India as my father was in the Indian Army. Thanks to which I can adjust in new and different surroundings and blend with it. Two years in each place is quite a long time to absorb and learn the culture and tradition of a place. Hence, I know my country more than an average person and thus I can share a lot about India with others.

Throughout my school life I have participated in various cultural and academic events like quiz, presentations, dance and dramas. Serving as a prefect and a head girl of my school helped me inculcate the qualities of discipline, leadership and responsibility.

In India there is an acute dearth of post graduate courses in public policy. The ones available require the candidate to have a work experience of two years. Since I want to apply for the Indian Foreign Service after my masters, it is not feasible for me to apply for the courses available here. I want to understand the subject first so that I have a better performance in my career.

The cost of living in Germany is less compared to the other countries abroad. I come from a modest economic background and thus Germany is an economic option for me.

As the Masters course in Public Policy at the H University recruits students and faculty from other countries as well, I will have an opportunity to interact and learn at a global level. This will not only enhance my personality and outlook but will also contribute greatly to my career. It will give me a first-hand experience as a representative of India.

Germany holds the rank of the fourth largest economy of the world. Having majored in economics I have an interest in observing and understanding how Germany managed to achieve such a high position and how it maintains this rank.

I hope this letter will be given your full consideration. I look forward to your positive response.

Yours sincerely