Motivational Letter

Please do assist me in the following motivational letter. I believe it is too long.

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing this letter to apply for the Erasmus Mundas Master Degree program in Global Studies; a European Perspective, as I believe my educational and professional background gives me the liverage to study this course as it will also boost my academic career and growth as an individual.

I do hold a Zimbabwean citizenship, by birth and residence, hence did my primary to tertiary education in Zimbabwe, taught in United Kingdom English. I completed fours of undergraduate studies at the Midlands State University under the Faculty of Arts, studying BA Honours Degree in African Languages and Culture. My thesis focused on, the significance of the participation approach in Zimbabwean rural areas towards tourism development. I carefully investigated and assessed the possibility of greater participation of the rural community in tourism development or business venture and the possibility of promoting their knowledge and experience (empowerment) to other rural communities living in similar conditions. During my four year study I participated in so many university developmental programmes that capacitated me with society understanding, for example, peer education.

After completing my honours, I joined Centre for Development Studies doing a post-graduate diploma in HIV&AIDS Management and Counselling Studies for a year. My thesis focused on, the role of socio-cultural beliefs (myths) and their bearing in determining the risk perceptions held by the Ndebele speaking people on HIV&AIDS in Matabeleland South Province. The study sought to establish the perceptions of the study population on HIV&AIDS –which was contributory to its spread, determine the impacts of HIV&AIDS and to proffer possible strategies of mitigating the risk-behaviour.

My interest in humanities motivated my choice of my first major. In the same time I tried to realise myself in the other areas, working as a social or development worker by understanding peoples’ indigenous knowledge systems in development and cultural relativism particularly in Africa.

My work experience dates back to my internship in 2007, when I began to be a social and cultural worker in the Matopo World Heritage Site locality. In my internship period, I acted as an assistant in the following posts: cultural officer, research coordinator and HIV&AIDS coordinator. During this period I participated in several projects and programmes at technical and field level, augmenting the necessary needs of the communities, with stakeholders and government departments as well as NGOs.

Finishing the degree and my post-graduate diploma made me employed as a lecture or trainer at a development institute centre. This encouraged me more to research and read more so as to produce productive intellects. It capacitated me to stand in front of people and have holistic theory presentations and gave me a command of arguing academically. It gave me a clean picture of theory versus grounded research, as I assisted in preparation or development of courses and module outlines. I was as well a marker of viva-voce presentation exams, set and marked exams, supervised students conducting research, and participated in departmental research programmes.

Seeing my capabilities of theory and research, gave me no doubts of applying for employment abroad the country. In February-July 2011, I really changed my life by accepting an offer of Field Research Supervisor at International Centre for AIDS Care and Treatment Programmes in Swaziland for a Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey. I got trained as an HIV&AIDS Rapid Counsellor by Centre for Disease Control. Since this was a social and clinical research, it purely made me understand the protocols as well the differences of research. I managed and visited research sites to ensure site compliance with a protocol and regulatory obligations. I learned how to converse with people of a different culture from mine as well understand their plight of poverty and HIV&AIDS, since Swaziland is the leading nation in the world of HIV prevalence. I learned how to document observations in reports and letters in a timely manner using approved Centre for Disease Control standards. My mind was open-eyed with certain aspects of the clinical research monitoring: source document verification, validation of CRF entries, query resolution, investigational product accountability, reconciliation and collection of the investigational product, study site evaluation and selection, report and documentation.

From all the above work experience as a service-focused social worker I have gained strong commitment to serving the needy populations with an international eye. I have an exceptional capacity to multitask: manage competing priorities with ease while fostering social delivery. I as well have solid administrative and planning strategies experience: excelling in program and organizational planning, with documented success overcoming challenges of field elements and financial constraints to design high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive service offerings. I have demonstrated ability to forge, lead, and motivate team work under flexible and accountable situations. I have an outstanding interpersonal, training and communication skills; skilled in building community support, key coalitions and strategic partnerships.

Subsequent to my experience of working in Zimbabwe and Swaziland development projects I am willing to gain some international theoretical and research based knowledge, so that I could pursue a career in this area at a better level. This desire motivated my application for the European Master’s in Global Studies in Leipzig University, as I find the current course program with its thrust on global politics, culture, law, economics and social politics brain-watering. I have been always interested in the global trends and issues that affect all societies: interactions of peoples, cultures, economies, and polities; the globalizing processes of the communications media, global competitiveness, aid and development, human rights’ violations and political, ethnic and religious conflicts, for example, USA Foreign Policy versus the Arab world. This course would further provide me with an opportunity to develop an understanding of traditional and modern third world nations, for example, Sudan and South Sudan geopolitics. I would like to know more about contemporary challenges and attempts made to achieve social justice and civilization like the 1984 President Mugabe Gukurahundi and 1994 Rwanda genocide. Through the studies of world civilizations I would get the better understanding of European civilization and the place of my own country and continent in the world, as well the increasing transnational and transcontinental connectedness. I hope I would gain the methods to analyze the global trends independently in the end of the course by fastening all my hope and strength on methods of globalization research.

Six hundred years old and having a motto, “A tradition of crossing boundaries”, Leipzig is an attractive university with its internationality, hence has a high percentage of international students and has produced world-class scholars like Angela Merkel. I find irresistible to be among international students as it is a great prospect to broaden my global sphere and getting to know different cultures and traditions, different perspectives and views, corresponds strongly to my knowledge building. Another good reason for me to join the Leipzig is its high standard of education and its multiculturalism; ranking it among the top universities in Europe and the world. This fact attracts many internationally known professors who will part vital information to students and as well, the wide range of top partner universities and student networks offer more imminent to better education. ‘Crossing boundaries’ will never mean racial or tribal; thus Leipzig University offers a culturally active community with a free-spirited cultural scene, which justifies global studies. Thus I am confident with my decision of being in dire need to join Leipzig University.

Given my past history of commitment to excellence, I am confident that I will bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to your program. I am sure to surpass your expectations, because of both my academic and interpersonal skills as well as the experience gained from my work experience. I will enrich the program by enabling fellow students and professors to benefit from my striving and open nature. Furthermore, my international background and interdisciplinary education will add more diversity to your program. Because globalization has changed every field; thus every field needs graduates who understand globalization. I am interested in aid and development, so I will be applying for global positions at places like UNICEF, GLOBAL FUND, CDC, UNESCO and UNFPA. I will not necessarily have to work abroad, but in my country, though I might want to, but I will be dealing with global and international issues.

I would be very much pleased and grateful for your maximum consideration of my application and be granted admission for the fall term.

Yours sincerely,

Ngqabutho Ndhlovu