Letters / Medical Field - Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Motivation Letter [2]

October 10th, 2024 Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Nandin-Erdene, a gap year student from Mongolia with a passion for the medical field. To further my medical knowledge, I intend to pursue a bachelor's degree with the support of the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme.

My interest in the medical field began at the local hospital when I accompanied my mother to visit her friend. Little did I know that this visit would be a turning point in my life. My mother's friend, who was barely in her 30s, was lying in a hospital bed with stage 4 brain cancer which is called metastatic. Unfortunately, there was no medical infrastructure in Mongolia for advanced treatment. Thus, doctors advised her to seek treatment in South Korea. Unfortunately, she could not get treatment and passed away after five months of chemotherapy. Soon after, I learned her reason for not going to South Korea. The expected cost for treatment in South Korea was nearly USD 30,000, an amount that is a hundred times more than our monthly salary.
I could not stop wondering how anyone was supposed to afford that. Why don't our hospitals have the necessary equipment for such treatments? I could not imagine the pain she must have gone through, both physically and emotionally. Like her, thousands of people struggled because of the lack of medical equipment and their financial situation. This experience left me with a sense of injustice and a burning desire to make a difference. Thus, I developed a long-term goal to become a medical professional and to contribute to policy and practical changes that ensure no patient would ever suffer hardship due to inadequate healthcare services.
However, for the short-term goal, I decided to attend the Secondary school of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS), one of Mongolia's top high schools. That was a big step for me, as I grew up in a small Mongolian village with few resources. I had studied for the entrance exam for a year and got accepted with a top score. Shortly after, I left my hometown alone to study in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia at age of 15. Throughout medical high school, I used every resource available, resulting in top scores in all my courses. I took advanced university-level biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and medical English courses and participated in practical laboratory sessions and hands-on clinical experiences. Additionally, I volunteered at the Red Cross Club for two years and did an internship at the Mongolian Ecology Center. On top of that, I wrote several cancer articles with my seniors. These opportunities broadened my perspective on healthcare and medical concepts and gave me a sense of responsibility.
To further my goals, I have chosen your institution because its research-oriented environment will offer the necessary skills and master the technologies needed in Mongolia. Moreover, this institution will provide me with a nuanced understanding of healthcare systems worldwide, enabling me to bring innovative solutions for cancer treatment and diagnostics to my home country. Furthermore, during my study years, I am interested in an internship with the National Institute of Oncology.

Apart from academics, I believe this university embodies diversity and inclusion in its programmes, extracurriculars, and, most importantly, its people. Likewise, I look forward to the close-knit yet diverse experiences on campus and in the city, such as attending my first International Evening.

In addition, learning in one of the world's oldest and best universities in a country with stunning architecture, rich history, lively cultural life, many world heritage sites, and welcoming people in the heart of Europe is extremely attractive. Yet, the thing that holds me back is my family's financial situation. Therefore, I am seeking a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, as I believe this programme will "unlock all the doors" towards my goal. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
Nandin-Erdene.E

Undergraduate / Essay #1 Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups [2]

I belong to families who helped shape me into a better person. In 2021, I left my small village to attend a medical high school in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. That September, I joined Mrs. Enkhtuya's family and lived in a yurt through the harsh winter. Whenever I returned from school, I had to light a fire in the stove at -30 degrees Celsius. Before the fire oven, we would share moments of warmth and anticipation, discussing the events of the day.
By December 2022, I had moved into my uncle's small one-room apartment. Although it was just a single room for four people, at the end of a long day, we would gather around the dinner table, silhouetted in a circle, talking about our lives.
In March 2023, after my 11th-grade graduation, I moved again. A friend opened her home to me while she was completing her studies. We lived in a tiny room with only a table and a few kitchen essentials. Our conversations echoed in the space, and though she often noted how little we had, she never once complained.
From the yurt to one-room apartments to tiny, sparsely furnished rooms, each home carried its own warmth from the people who welcomed me as family. Despite their limited means, they opened their homes and hearts, creating spaces for endless conversation and sharing life's ups and downs. These experiences have shaped me into a more compassionate, adaptable, and grateful person.
I hope to bring this warmth and kindness into my studies of science at the University of Michigan, whether it be through conversation-based LSA classes like "Bioreaction Engineering & Design" or through opportunities to live with a host family through the study abroad programs offered by CGIS. As I continue my journey, I carry their lessons with me, knowing that the people we meet along the way often shape who we become.