The year is starting and it is the perfect time to plan everything you want to do this 2024. At Lodgerin we know that among the goals of many of you is to live one of the greatest adventures of your university life: going on Erasmus. The beginning of the year is not about writing resolutions on a piece of paper, but about starting to put them into action. An easy way to get started is to write your Erasmus motivation letter.

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In order to live this great experience, you need to meet certain requirements that show that you are an excellent candidate for the program. One of them is the motivation letter. This document serves to present yourself to the selection committee and convince them that you deserve the place you have chosen. Therefore, the motivation letter should clearly reflect your future plans, as well as prove that your student record is good enough to allow you to study abroad.

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Writing a motivation letter may not be as easy as it seems, that’s why we bring you some tips for your cover letter to give the green light to the most exciting experience you will live this year.

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How to start writing a motivation letter?

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Before you open a Word document and start writing it is important to brainstorm. This is a list of ideas that will clear your mind and make the process easier. We recommend that you write a list of your personal and academic motivations for studying abroad. Among the first group you can include an interest in a culture or learning a language. While in the second ones you can name the academic benefits that the university you have chosen will offer you.

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Once you have your ideas clear and organized, you can turn on your computer and start writing. Remember that this letter should be short and witty, easy to read and original. Its purpose is to reflect your personality. To do this you should use simple language, but without losing formality, to achieve a clear and concise writing.

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What structure should a motivation letter have?

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Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty! Ideally, the motivation letter should be organized in three parts: introduction, body and conclusion.

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• Introduction: this is a brief introduction of yourself. It is the perfect opportunity for you to talk about your academic background and highlight all your qualities as a student. In the introduction you should name in which exchange program you want to participate and which university you have chosen.

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• Body: this is the part of the letter where you should encourage the student to choose you as an exchange student. This is where you should state the academic motivations you have written in your brainstorming. Include in the text the points you find most compelling and elaborate on them. Show that you have informed yourself about your destination, as well as the advantages that the course offers you. The trick is to do it in an original way to convince the committee that you are the best candidate they will find.

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• Conclusion: to close the text emphasize in one sentence your desire to leave. Write in the conclusion what it would mean for you to get a place in the Erasmus program. Finally, thank whoever is reading your letter, and include a call to action.

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Last advice

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Remember to proofread the letter several times before sending it, to rule out any errors in the wording. We also recommend that you make a copy in the language of your host country to prepare for the motivational interview. Once you have reviewed the letter in both languages, save the document in PDF to avoid problems during the sending.

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By following these simple tips you will be one step closer to having an unforgettable experience abroad. Don’t forget that in Lodgerin you will find the best accommodation options for your Erasmus.

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