Motivational letter PhD

Dear all,
I would like to thank for the possibility of this forum to help English learners. It´s a great help for us to get an advice and correct our mistakes as well as get essential knowledge.
I am applying for a PhD and need to send a cover/motivation letter. Could you please correct it for me and let me know how to improve it.
I look forward to your advice.
Thanks a lot in advance,
Anna

Letter of Motivation

January 20th, 2015

I would like to apply for the PhD program in International “PROGRAM NAME” at the University XXX.
I graduated in Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology in 2014 from the State Institution of Higher Education XXX, Ukraine. During my studies I have realized that groundwater quantity and quality is increasingly threatened. Thus I became very interested in a rational management of groundwater resources.
To continue my research in the field of hydrogeology in Germany, I have found XXX surfing thrue the Internet in order to find suitable PhD program. According to variable ratings Univesity of XXX is included in top 20 lists of German Higher Education Establishments and is known as innovative one (dw.de, January 2013) as well as exellent for integration and international cooperation. The Center for Applied Geoscience contributes a lot in a hydrogeological research holding conferences and sharing interesting articles on the studies undertaken. Furthermore XXX project is aimed at resolving waterbalance and groundwater changes questions by a use of international experience and up-to-date conceptions in the hydrogeological, bio- and hydrogeochemical modelling. That is why I became very inspired with an idea of participating this outstanding project.
Since my childhood I have been demonstrating an interest to the geography. In high school I was one of the state geography competition winners in 2007 and winner of the city (Dniepropetrovsk) competitions in biology and geography in the each year (2006-2009). I enjoy receiving new information and have been always hardworking student, thus I have graduated High School with honors getting strong knowledge background. My school leaving exam’s scores in mathematics were 197,5 out of 200 (2,17% of all Ukrainian High School graduates have passed 190,5 grade in 2009).
I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Geology (Diploma with honors), with an emphasis on Hydrogeology at the National Mining University (7th position it UNESCO top 200 Ukrainian Higher Education Establishments in 2010, 4th among Technical ones). While studying I discovered my strong interest in the areas of fluid dynamics, radiohydrogelogy, sustainability of geotechnical systems, hydrogeochemistry where I had my best marks. For outstanding knowledge in chemistry I was thanked by the Head of Chemistry Department. Also I have participated in a competition for young researchers with a study of landslide processes in flooded soils (clays, loess) and solving methods.
Afterwards I had a baby, but I would not stop my education and I decided to continue my academic training in the same university. In the thesis I have studied thermal potential of abandoned mines. With the model of thermal plant, I have made an estimation of water temperature difference potential for heating and its changes in time, economic benefits etc. My Master’s course grade point average was .
I am aware that modeling is an important part of hydrogeological research and thence I am trained to work in Mathcad, AutoCAD, Surfer and ModFlow. However, I would like to get an experience in use of other 3D control-volume groundwater model programs.
For a three year I was taking English courses in a private English school.
Additionally I trained my English while participating in the international forum for students and young researchers “Widening our horizons” and have written some publications (see attachment ). I have also basic knowledge of Polish and am a fast language learner. In the meantime, I attended German courses in a branch of the Goethe Institute with a view to follow Master and PhD degree in Germany. My letters of recommendation are on the form of WAREM program in the University of Stuttgart where I planned to enter then.
As regards my interests, I enjoy intellectual games like chess as well as doing sport activities such as swimming and fitness. I have always kept healthy lifestyle.
I am warmhearted friendly person and I am confident humans should be kind and helpful to each other. In the Ukraine I was used to help Christian community in a hospital to cheer people who were sick or alone.
Attending XXX project would give me possibility to receive new knowledge, new stage in careeer, moreover improve German skills and get an international work expereince while researching in Canada. I would enjoy working on the topics that develope my professional skills and also trained my English. Theese are all themes mentioned in IRTG, but the most interesting would be the one I am apllying for. Through my strong organizational skills and my ability to work independent as well as in team I would contribute to the project some help, new power and ideas.
Despite my good academic achievements, I fully understand that it would be quite a challenge for me attending XXX program but I am ready to take it. If given the opportunity, I will do my best to deal it perfect and meet your expectations.
Thank you very much for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,