Master Programme Motivation letter

Hi all! Im new to this and Im loving it! Im from South Africa and my English is not that good. Please help me with the motivation letter to get acceptance for a scholarship to do my Masters. Thank you in advance.This is what I have written:



Dear Scholarship Officer

I would like to apply for the Full Time Post Graduate Scholarship programme for the period of 2009-2010. I have completed my Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management and my B-Tech Degree in Tourism Management at the Tshwane University of Technology. Through my years of studying at TUT, I have witnessed that it’s a university with a good reputation and has an excellent academic performance. So therefore, I believe that it’s the best place to achieve my career objectives. I have always maintained excellent grades, whether at school or on the work front. I began my tertiary academic journey in 2003, studying Adventure Tourism Management and through the course practical and theory; I got exposed to tourism in eccentric and unusual forms. In February 2004, (my second year) I started my professional career in the tourism industry as a volunteer at South African Airways Rainbow Travel, a job which has opened many other doors and my mind to so many opportunities. I worked hands on and made live booking for organizations such as UNICEF and UNDP. I learnt to apply the experience I acquired at the job in my daily academic activities and learning became easier that way.

While in my third year of studies, in 2005, TUT afforded me the opportunity to work in one of the world’s largest tourist attractions - Walt Disney World. I had the pleasure to meet varied cultures and to share my culture with people from all over the world. Among many other skills, I was taught to deliver the best quality service above world standards: an aspect which is crucial in the tourism and hospitality industry. While working at Disney World, I also became a student at the Disney University and took up the Financial Management and Organizational Leadership course for six months correspondingly.

Upon completion of my cultural exchange programme at Disney World, I decided to continue with my studies and pursued a B-Tech Degree in Tourism Management as an alternative of Adventure Tourism Management wherein I obtained my Diploma. During that time, I also worked at TUT’s travel agency as a student assistant. Upon the conclusion of my contract at TUT, I then worked at the South African Bureau of Standards as a travel coordinator. I acted as a liaison between SABS staff and their travel suppliers. This included drawing up policies, actioning them, drawing up reports as well as averting and solving travel crises. It was a difficult position with a lot of pressure but it has been an organization where I have grown the most.

During this time and through my experiences, I explored several latent aspects of my personality and proffesionality and where I decided to revert and study full time in order to be the best I can be. I believe I can go further than working in front-line positions that I have been exposed to in the past five years. As tourism student, I have been accustomed to believe that one can only go as far as being a travel agent or a car rental and hotel booking agent. When I had made the decision to study tourism, friends and family criticized and asked why I didn’t choose other fields such as Engineering or Medicine, but my passion has always been in Tourism. I would therefore like to do away with that perception by working in the fields of tourism academics, tourism consulting as well as tourism research and development.

I have come to realize that to achieve my goals; I should learn and study further by obtaining a Master’s Degree. Therefore, of an exceptional motivation, I strongly imply myself in my academic activities to carry out my objectives. Having this knowledge will allow me to have an enhanced understanding of tourism research principles and methods. With all the uncertainties and changes in the world- political, economic and technological environment as well as the current recession, the travel product has become more of a luxury than ever before.

I believe the industry must have a solid understanding supported by a strong academic foundation of how to guide travel companies and travel staff during these challenging times. Research has become a critical part of any organization and by learning to conduct research; I will be better positioned to assist travel and tourism companies with the various aspects of the issues they are facing and try to generate solutions to these complex problems. I believe that obtaining a Masters Degree will have a large impact on my future career and will equip me with the knowledge, confidence, and contacts to realize my dreams. It will also provide the necessary background which will enable me to anticipate and react to ever changing environments.

I am confident that I am qualified and prepared to meet all the requirements of the scholarship. I would be grateful if you could give my application your most favorable consideration. Thank you for taking the time to review my application. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further details.

Warm Regards

Katlego Oliphant