Motivation Letter

Full Name: Zahra Sahil

Address: 6th District of Kabul, Afghanistan

Phone Number: (+93) 748469413

Email: zahrasahil3@gmail.com

Subject: Letter of Motivation for Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Scholarship

To: Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada Selection Committee

Date: 20 August 2023

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this letter to express my strong motivation to pursue a master’s degree in

international economics through the Maria Rosario Niada scholarship. I hold a bachelor’s degree in
business administration and have around two years’ professional experience. My upbringing in a rural
village of a marginalized region has inspired me to pursue a career in business, and I believe that obtaining
a master’s degree in economics will equip me with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a
significant contribution to women’s economic empowerment in my home country, Afghanistan.
I commenced my educational journey in a remote village, distanced from urban centers, where
access to quality education for girls was not only inadequate but often restricted. Undeterred by these
challenges, I completed my schooling with unwavering enthusiasm and a resolute goal: to pursue higher
education in my chosen field. This determination propelled me to participate in and successfully navigate
the rigorous national university entrance exam (Kankor), securing admission to Kabul University's BBA
program.
My university experience has been amazing which further strengthened my determination and
enthusiasm for pursuing an academic journey and a career in business. Each subject has captivated me
more profoundly than anticipated, especially entrepreneurship, investment, business communication and
international business. Within the university, my commitment to broader educational enhancement
manifested as an active role within the student's union. In this capacity, I collaborated with a dedicated
team to organize and conduct numerous supplementary classes. These sessions were aimed to empower
fellow students who had difficulties with their coursework, while also organizing diverse extracurricular
activities aimed at fortifying their future professional journey. All these fostered a passion that propelled
me beyond the classroom which helped me make more of my time and gain some practical experience in
the relevant field.

I embarked on a practical journey by joining one of my relatives in their small-scale commercial

enterprise as a Finance Officer. This hands-on engagement furnished me with practical insights into
financial management, while also nurturing my ability to navigate customer interactions, oversee product
and service delivery, and address various business challenges. Further expanding my horizons, I leveraged
my linguistic skills to a newspaper team, contributing as a translator. This role taught me invaluable
lessons in teamwork dynamics, instilled a strong sense of dedication, and honed my capacity to meet
deadlines consistently.

I have done all these to put the very first corner stone of my bigger plan which is establishing a
business which will serve as a platform for women entrepreneurs and artisans. I have long been thinking
of this dream and worked hard to fulfill it. Now that the situation has changed in the country, every door
and opportunity is almost closed for women; this brings up the issue as an urgent need for Afghan women
and urges me further to follow my dream and serve Afghan women through my knowledge and expertise.
I am sure that establishing a business supporting small enterprises and women artisans will help them to
reach the market easier and make their products without risk of not being sold. It will help them a lot to
have income for them and be independent.

To fulfill my dreams, I want do a master of international economics at Geneva Graduate Institute

which will enable me to know how to start my own business in my country in order to create jobs for
Afghan women and contribute to women economic empowerment. As I have searched about Geneva
Graduate Institute, it provides a wide range programs and courses for the management and businesses
which directly concordance my goal’s needs in the future.

As this scholarship is exclusively for Afghan women, and particularly women like me who are
totally dependent on their family and are limited in their rights to education and jobs. So, I am among
those who are in need of this scholarship and financial support to pursue my education and future plans.
If awarded the scholarship, I assure you that I will wholeheartedly fulfill my responsibilities as a scholarship
recipient. This opportunity would enable me to advance my education and achieve my aspirations. Your
support in granting me this chance would empower me to contribute towards improving the conditions
of women in Afghanistan. While these changes may start as modest shifts, they hold the potential to
catalyze a significant revolution for each woman across Afghanistan.

With regards,

Zahra Sahil