Motivational lettter
How to get started?
Before you apply, read carefully information on the course website and guide. Make sure you know what type of event it is and what participants the organisers are looking for.
Remember also the mandatory rules:
use only characters from latin alphabet, other characters will not be recognised,
write your letter in english language.
Step 1 - Be yourself and strive for originality
When writing a cover letter, you should present yourself in the best possible way. Your aim is to show those reading the letter what makes you unique and a perfect fit with the profile of the participant they are looking for.
The organisers will be looking for people who are interested not only in the content part of the courses, but also in other activities (such as integrations) in which participation is mandatory. It is not required to mention your willingness to play, but the organisers will certainly take into account whether a person would be willing to participate in activities not related to the scientific side of the course.
So - what to do?
In short - be creative! Your letter will be one of many that the organisers will read, so it's worth making an effort to stand out with something. Choose a style that best expresses who you are: write a poem, a song, maybe a short story - whatever strikes your fancy. And what about jokes? They are most welcome! But don't force them in. Remember - be yourself!
Step 2 - Knowledge and skills
If you want to make sure your cover letter is successful, don't forget to describe your interest in the course topics. Before you start writing, remember to check the information about what level the classes will be at and any other comments from the organiser.
What to write about?
Show the organisers your enthusiasm and ciekawość curiosity about the course topic. You can mention how it will help you in the future (career/own business/study). Think about the skills, achievements, education that make you an ideal candidate. Also focus on what they can gain from your presence. Write down what impressed you most about the course in question and why you want to gain knowledge in this area.
Again, try not to simply describe the facts - do it in an interesting way, enjoyable to read!
Step 3 - Interest in the country
Another important element in your cover letter is to show your interest in the country and city where the course will take place. If you know any interesting facts, traditions, history, you can mention this in your letter.
If you have a particular place you want to see, you can start writing your letter by describing how excited you are to finally be able to visit that place.
Look for information about the city where the course will take place. Mention the placesyou would like to see and which elements of the culture you are most attracted to. You can also refer to traditional cuisine specific to the region that you would like to try. Show that you enjoy the thought of being able to experience this culture.
It is also important to communicate what cultural values you can bring to the event. Present the diveristythat your presence will bring. In this way, you will show that the cultural aspect of the courses is not indifferent to you, that you will be the right person in the right place
What to do and what not to do?
| DO | DON'T |
| Read all the information about the course you are applying for. | Use of formal phrases and formal style. |
| Pay attention to what kind of cover letter you send in case you apply for more than one course. | Focusing on what and where you study - that's not a CV. |
| Think of three non-standard questions - they are very important in the selection process. Take a moment and look for information on the topics in question. | Inserting links or characters from alphabets other than latin. |
| Be creative and use any format for your letter that is pleasing to the eye and enjoyable to read. Remember that only normal text can be sent, but that doesn't stop anyone from becoming a Word master and creating a marvel. | Inserting jokes by force or anything you would never actually say - write truthfully. |
| Show the organisers that you are a great representative of your culture and will contribute a lot to the diversity of the course. Be open-minded and show it to everyone! | Copying things that are not relevant to the text - make sure everything is consistent. |
| Organise your ideas and write them down somewhere so they don't get lost! | Sending an application at the last minute - be aware that the system may crash in this situation. It is better to send your application a few days earlier and check that it has definitely been saved. If you encounter any problems, contact the BEST Helpdesk. |
| Present your thoughts in a structured way and in a form that is not too long. Remember that the organisers will want to know as much as possible about you without spending hours on a letter. | Presenting your thoughts in a very short way or in a very long way - remember that one-sided documents work best! |
Marcel Boxberger
BEST Awareness Responsible
marcel.boxberger@best.gdansk.pl
Igor Puchacz
BEST Awareness Responsible
igor.puchacz@best.gdansk.pl