Motivational letter for EVS - help would be appreciated

Hello,

I'm writing a motivational letter for an EVS project (a voluntary work abroad). This particular work takes place on a ship in Norway. They choose the participant mostly by the letter so I would be really grateful if I could get suggestions how to improve it.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers

I’m __, a 25 year old girl living in ___, Hungary. With this letter I would like to apply for participation as a volunteer in Norway. I have found your program in the EVS database and I hope it is still active. I would really like to be a volunteer, and feel the need to grow as a person, enriching my culture, language skills and learning from the people working with this field. Moreover, the opportunity of an EVS project in Europe will provide me an international perspective and will make it easier to plan an international future life.

I am currently a college student, just about getting my second Bachelor degree in Visual Arts at University of __. I received my first BA degree as a Software Information Technologist. Despite my IT knowledge is highly favorable in the labor market nowadays, I decided to participate in art education since art and visual culture has always been closer to me. During my last college year I was in internship as a graphic designer at__, Hungary’s biggest integrated communication agency outside the capital for six months, where I received outstanding references.

I have a broad variety of interests. Besides arts and graphic design I’m deeply interested in nature, history and different cultures. My hobbies include visiting exhibitions, concerts, and I play on instruments like guitar, cello and bongo drums. I’m also a book-lover, reading a good novel can capture my attention for hours.

Environmental consciousness was always important to me since I was brought up not to waste precious things like water and electricity. In my opinion Earth and environment is the most significant topic which has to be always considered. During my internship I took part in a multi-venue roadshow called „Don’t feed the Energy Vampire!”, focusing on raising awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency and alternative energy sources among the residents of the South-Hungarian region. I also took part organizing environment-focused activities and games for children.

Previously I participated in a one-week youth exchange project, in _, ____ in 2010. It’s theme was arts and crafts, and it was really interesting to meet young people from 8 countries. I also enjoyed the creative work shops and outdoor activities like going to the woods.

I would like to get to know the different cultures and different ways of living directly, which is why I would like to be a volunteer abroad. I also would like to help others and make myself useful while getting new experiences from which I can learn. I’m creative, and open-minded to new ideas and have a curious character ready to learn new things. My weakness is public appearance – I can be a little nervous in situations like speaking in front of a larger audience – but I think I will improve myself and gain confidence as I have to doing well in another country. On the other hand I’m not afraid of the challenge and look forward for a new experience.

This project seems the most interesting I have found in the database, living in a boat is sounds fascinating. I don’t have experience in sailing but I would love to learn about ships and maritime culture. I don’t mind hard work because I know in exchange I would get experiences that worth it. I consider myself hard-working and persistent person. Neither individual work nor team work is a problem, I can adapt easily and I cope effectively with all kinds of demands put in front of me, and I’m willing to work with a maximum effort.

I was always curious about this country – not only its beautiful landscapes but its culture too. In music I’m fan of bands and musicians from Norway like Turbonegro, Gluecifer, and El Caco, as well my favourite scandinavian crime fiction writer Jo Nesbø. I also hope during the project there will be an opportunity to learn Norwegian language to some degree.
I would be really grateful if you would give me the chance to contribute to this project.

If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,
____