“The day you decide to do it is your lucky day.” —Japanese Proverb
A few days ago, I coincidentally came across a book called Maneki Neko, the Japanese book of good fortune. Its main idea is that, in Japanese culture, luck is not a matter of randomness; it is something you must work for, focusing on three key ingredients: effort, wisdom, and confidence. After speaking with some current EMMIE scholars, I realized that we, in some way, followed these three principles when introducing ourselves to the EMMIE selection committee. In Japanese terms, we were lucky to be chosen for our Erasmus Mundus Program. The intention letter, along with your CV, is your opportunity to introduce yourself. In this text, I will do my best to provide practical tips related to these three aspects, hopefully helping you increase your luck when applying for your EMMIE Scholarship.
The Role of Effort
The Japanese say there is no greater fortune than the one we create through continuous effort —ganbatte-. In your motivation letter, make sure to convey to your readers what projects have shaped who you are and the effort you have invested in them. Remember, it’s not just about your academic record; it also includes extracurricular activities, initiatives, and practical experience. In my case, I believe that, more than my academic background as a political scientist, it was the experience I gained during my last job at a social innovation platform focused on impact, as well as my ventures—a piñata export company called “Donkey Piñatas” and my current platform for processing international payments between the USA and Guatemala, called“Abunda”.
Another important piece of advice regarding effort: write your letter yourself, authentically, and avoid as much as possible using Artificial Intelligence to create a “perfectly structured motivation letter”. Artificial Intelligence is easy to detect and is the opposite of authenticity. We believe that the selection team is looking for game changers and pathfinders. A good sign of this is to be yourself and to develop your letter in the most genuine way possible.
The Role of Wisdom
Regarding wisdom, the Japanese book emphasizes the need to understand the laws of success wisely. It’s wise, as my colleague Daniela from Honduras did, to start your motivation letter at least one month in advance. We recommend writing it once, taking a few days, and then re-reading it to find better ways to express yourself. It can also be beneficial to have friends or mentors read it and share their feedback. Remember, this is how you will introduce yourself to the selection team, so you want to present it smoothly.
The Role of Confidence
Finally, concerning confidence, Japanese culture teaches that if you believe it, you can make it happen. If you felt a spark when you first saw this program and thought, “This is for me”, that is a great sign —you know that this opportunity is meant for you-. This is exactly what happened to my colleague Gabriel from Paraguay when he discovered the program just a few weeks before the application deadline.
Also, remember that you are applying for a scholarship in a field you enjoy. Make sure to convey that enthusiasm in your letter and consider why you are the right person for this opportunity. Why should you be chosen among many talented people worldwide?
Let me share one of my secrets regarding confidence: I practiced visualization exercises. I looked up the cities, universities, and coffee shops on Google Maps and imagined myself in those surroundings—walking, studying, even buying groceries. I firmly believed that this opportunity was meant for me, and it turned out to be true.
That said, I wish you the best of luck in the most Japanese sense of the saying. See you soon in Europe!
Diego Monterroso
EMMIE Scholar, proudly from Guatemala
Great article, so many helpful information, I hope I get this scholarship. Thank you for sharing this.