LETTER of MOTIVATION
1. Explain why you have made an application to the specific programme (SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM) and how you think your participation in it will affect any future plans of yours- academic, professional or otherwise.
2. Describe a thesis you have written or a project you have been part of. Explain it in a way so that someone with no prior knowledge in the field can understand it. What did you learn from it?
3. Describe yourself freely and tell us one thing you find fascinating about your home country
Word limit: 700
DEADLINE: 28/2/2022
Note: The university I am applying to asks for NO certifications other than my transcript, diploma, IETLS certificate and this motivation letter.
[My introduction: name, previous university and programme is mentioned in this first paragraph]
I am writing this letter to apply for a scholarship for the Sustainable Food Systems Master Programme at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The programme will facilitate my future career as a Sustainable Food Consumption researcher with a dedicated goal to drive food consumers towards sustainable food-related activities. The scholarship is vital for my future pursuit as it allows me to continue academic study in my desired area and institution.
The need to guide consumers to sustainable changes has motivated me for years. Vietnam is blessed with harmonious nature and climate, thus, vegetables and fruits are plentiful in varieties. Four out of the ten rarest fruits in the world are ubiquitous in Vietnam. Vietnamese traditional foods are complicated dishes whose robust flavours are derived from different kinds of herbs and vegetables. Thanks to this abundance, food prices are inexpensive. Nonetheless, recent agricultural intensification activities have degraded environmental resilience, hence, variety. If sustainable initiatives are taken by consumers whom foods are produced for, reversed impacts will be profound not only at the primary production stage but throughout the food system. When food consumption is modified towards sustainability, policy-makers, public and private sectors will be pressured to change.
Inspired by recommendations from the "The Farm to Fork Strategy - A Consumer perspective" article (Fernqvist, 2021), I will investigate methods that effectively shift consumers to sustainable, healthy choices at the retail stage in Vietnam for my graduate dissertation as Vietnam is an emerging economy that opens for improvements. Besides benefitting consumers, the findings will help retailers and prior actors of the food supply chain operate more efficiently. Admission to the programme will allow me to have my thesis supervised by Professor Fredrik Fernqvist, author of the article, whose interest areas I strongly relate to. My research will also emphatically apply the use of subtle and non-intrusive influences to affect people's behaviour suggested in a book in his "Consumer behaviour, food choice and sustainable food consumption" course. The programme's focus on sustainable food systems together with SLU's accomplished performance in the Agriculture field will hone insights for my prospects.
I have the capability to turn observations into actions. Frustrated by the consequences of conventional farming methods, I co-initiated a community garden near my university where everyone could practice and learn about sustainable farming from local farmers. While being a Teaching Assistant for Environmental Science courses, I had galvanised students' participation. The experience had created an intergenerational bond between students and the locals, engaged them in circular economy practice, changed students' perspectives of agriculture and inspired other student-led sustainable projects. Ideas for my undergraduate thesis came from my experience during the project and my part-time job at retail stores to self-finance my living fees. The thesis aims at exploring consumers' understanding of best-before-date and their consequential behaviour towards food in Japan. The findings show that many consumers understood "best-before date" as the date after which food still could be consumed. Nevertheless, among these consumers, those with high concerns about food safety would more likely discard food immediately after the date, causing food waste. From the research, I have learnt that information directed at consumers must consider their concerns and habits. This is the basis for my master's study. All humans are food consumers affected by adversities in the food system, hence having the purpose and responsibility to change. Despite many hardships, my ideals have always stood firm.
As a Vietnamese who had studied at a highly diverse institution in Japan, I will contribute my cross-cultural perspectives to the dynamic learning environment of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. With my passion, competence and virtue, I am a competitive candidate for the programme and scholarship.
