Completed Motivation Letter

Savvas Papadopoulos Götaholmsgatan 3B 41501 Göteborg, Sweden 17 January, 2011 To whom may concern, Dear Sir or Madam, I’m writing to apply for admission to study Master’s programmes in Accounting. In Spring 2011 I will graduate from the Technological Educational Institution of Serres, Greece with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. My Bachelor-Thesis was about the analysis of financial statements concerning tourist enterprises with the application of ratios. I have recently moved to Sweden and I live with my fiancé who works as a Medical Doctor at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. Since I moved to Sweden I have been studying Swedish at SFI- Högskolaspåret. My future plan is to deepen my knowledge in accounting and specifically in auditing, by following a relative Master’s programme and eventually a doctorate programme. My goal is to start an academic career or a professional career as a chartered accountant in Sweden. The graduate programmes that exist at the Swedish Universities in which I applied for are the best instrument for my success. Furthermore, it provides me with the chance to study in an international environment which will be important for enhancing my intercultural competence and language skills. Since I went to secondary school, I gained a high interest in economic topics. I was especially fascinated by the complexity and the diversity of the economical branches such as accounting. I was impressed by the various possibilities which the study of accounting could offer. I had the chance to obtain practical knowledge, before my Bachelor Studies, by working for four years as an administrator at a small limited company in Greece. However, I had the desire to acquire more theoretical background in accounting and apply this knowledge practically on a better set and due to this I decided to further study this discipline. During my Bachelor Studies I took the chance to improve my personal skills. In a lot of discussions with colleagues and mentors, I learned how to solve problems and develop solutions in a team environment. When I got the chance to work during my six month internship I discovered that this was the kind of career I would aspire to after my apprenticeship. What gained my interest was analysing economic data, evaluating the results, and providing a reasonable assurance that the statements are free from material error. To have a better understanding of the practical application of this I realized that I needed more education concerning this. I deepened my knowledge through my studies in accounting theory. Because of the strength of my determination, sense of purpose and discipline, I was the only student who completed the four year study programme in six semesters. Unfortunately, due to Greek Educational Law I could not be awarded with a Bachelor’s Degree before the start of the eighth semester. As I was the best performing student in my class, I was awarded with a Greek State Scholarships Foundation Scholarship for every year in

which I studied. Extra- curricularly, I participated as an assistant researcher in the publication of a book concerning the application of ecological touristic policy for the Institute of Touristic Research of Greece. After graduating, the desire to study further became stronger as I discovered the many advantages in participating in a Swedish Master’s programme. When my fiancé began working in Gothenburg the cards fell into place. Now I have had the chance to enjoy the Swedish way of life and research more about the Swedish educational system. I think with its proven excellence in teaching and outstanding international focus this is the best option for me to develop personally and academically.

Sincerely yours, Savvas Papadopoulos