The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Motivation Letter

Letter of Motivation

My name is XXXXXX, and I am applying for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) grant. Presently, I graduated from the University of Twente (2021), one of the top-ranked universities in The Netherlands, with a BSc. in Chemical Science and Engineering. I think that my chosen career will enable me to achieve all of my desires to help others via the advancement of science and technology, as well as to continue to broaden my knowledge.

Education has always been an important aspect of my life. For that reason, I worked hard to continue with my studies. I am from Ecuador, and in 2017 I was awarded a full scholarship to study abroad, which only 0.1% of Ecuadorian students nationwide have obtained. Thanks to this great opportunity I obtained my Bachelor's degree. Now, I would like to start the journey to obtain my Master's degree. I was admitted to the Laurea Magistrale Program: Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology at Politecnico di Milano, which is scheduled to start in September 2022.

Following that, I'd like to give you an impression of myself and why I want to pursue a Master's degree at Politecnico di Milano.

My undergraduate studies were the time to explore the field of Chemical Engineering. My interest in Materials Science grew as I was exposed to several concepts. The study of ¨Quantum Mechanics of Atoms and Molecules¨, ¨Structure and Properties of Materials¨, ¨Nano-chemistry¨, and ¨Organic \& bio-organic chemistry¨ which demonstrated to me how the structure of materials might be adjusted to create desired properties even at the nanoscale, triggered an irrevocable thirst for understanding of material design and selection.

During my third year, I took the Minor in Materials Science and Engineering; I found the course very appealing from the very first lecture. My lecturer began the lesson by explaining that materials can be designed for an enormous variety of applications with the understanding of the origins of properties, structure, or synthesis. One cited example was the development of bendable glass, which was made possible by precise control of the material's chemical structure and physical properties. Now, it is possible to obtain flexible glass thinner than human hair, which can be used in cell phones, cars, and new technologies. I found this kind of innovation very impressive because ideas like those may help improve the technological processes, ensure environmental protection, or/and improve conditions and extend human life.\\

I am a diligent, organized, and hard-working woman with a penchant for research. These skills led me to be part of the Inorganic Material Science research group at the University of Twente during my Bachelor's assignment, where I developed a project on 'Optimized Langmuir-Blodgett deposition of nanosheets and its influence as growth template on the properties of PZT. This great experience with researchers, teachers, and technicians pushed me to pursue my postgraduate studies in Materials Science and related areas of study.

Complementing my solid academic formation, I have also had the opportunity to develop my first work experience as a Quality Control Analyst at Farbiopharma pharmaceutical in Ecuador. In my current job, I have been experimentally testing the quality of raw materials used in manufacturing medicine and cosmetics, and developing standardized methodologies that ensure the highest quality. Thanks to this work experience, my laboratory and analytical skills have improved. During this time, my network with people who share similar interests grew, enriching my work experience and strengthening my communication skills, teamwork, and leadership, which I hope can help me during my academic development.

However, due to my experience in material science and nanotechnology, I realized that my knowledge is still insufficient in many areas. Because my country, Ecuador, has not made such significant strides in these industries, my goal is to contribute to its technological progress. In this context, I have decided to pursue a profession as a researcher to develop new production processes, technologies, and applications at the nanoscale. I chose Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology at PoliMi because I believe this top-level program will provide me with a deep understanding of Material Science for engineering application, material design, development of nanoscale industry, advanced coatings (nanostructured and nanocomposite layers), Chemical and Physical properties of nanomaterials, and its application for energy saving, which I am particularly interested in. PoliMi appealed to me since the vision and mission of the university follow Europe's university system in which the importance of diversity and innovation resonated more with me. I am confident in my decision, and with numerous eminent scientists as lecturers, I am convinced that I will receive expert knowledge of cutting-edge discoveries.

My motivation to study in Italy comes from the desire to experience the innovation of materials genuinely. In addition to having a highly innovative industry, Italian universities have the most advanced technologies and devices for teaching that allow a high-quality higher education system. My ambition to continue my postgraduate studies in Italy emanates not only from this but also from my desire to expand my academic horizons and boost my career prospects. On the other hand, Italy and Italians are characterized by being kind, considerate, and warm. This last feature is shared by Latin Americans, which I would like to explore and enjoy. I would be delighted to learn about Italian culture and the history of this well-known nation. These elements are essential to me since being around positive people and having a nice atmosphere aids both technological and personal development.

Given my commitment to excellence in the past, I am convinced that I will bring a high level of energy and passion to the program. Because of my academic and interpersonal qualities and work experiences, I am sure that I will exceed the expectations. I will provide value to the program by allowing fellow students and lecturers to benefit from my ambitious and open personality. Moreover, my foreign experience and multidisciplinary education will add to the richness of the program.

Thank you for the time to consider my application. Hoping to hear from you soon!

The motivation letter does not have a prompt, which makes writing it difficult. Without guidance, your tendency will be to provide too much information. When that happens, the motivation gets lost in the presentation. That is what happened in this letter. More than half of it is not motivation related. It is too long and over informative in the wrong way. Take it down a few notches. keep the focus on the motivation for the masters course.

Summarize the college background by merging it with your work experience. Doing this will allow you to present an extended motivational reason. Explain the aspects missed by college that affected your professional performance.

Focus on your professional experiences leading into a discussion of what you learned on the job that motivated your desire for higher studies. Show a thirst for learning, from the Italians in this case. Do not be vague about this. Think about the profession and how Italy is a leader in the field. specify the inspiration based an notable names, accomplishments, and university training programs. You have to love the educational system, not just the culture. Prove it.