yet another Letter of Motivation to be ispected under the magnifying glass

I am writing to apply as an exchange student for the Communication Design Program at the School of Architecture and Design for the fall semester 2008. I am a Bulgarian student attending my third semester of "Digital Media" studies at the University of Applied Science in Bremen, Germany. Since I would like to devote my life to improving intercultural communication by means of interactive art and media, I strongly believe that the experience of studying abroad will help me to further develop myself and my knowledge.

My flair for arts is by blood. in my blood. I grew up in my mother’s atelier, who is an artist herself, getting to know all different kinds of art. [Sounds a little clunky.  Could you say:  My mother is an artist, and I grew up in her studio (atelier only used if she is a dressmaker or works in couture)] During my high school years, I supported my mother with developing trademarks for different companies. My task was the technical realization on computer, thus I could easily learn the fundamentals of conventional and professional software.

A decisive step for my further evolution [not quite the right word here] was the year I spent as an exchange student in the eleventh grade in Germany. During this year I took part in diverse seminars organized by YFU (Youth For Understanding), which whose main goal was to make communication between cultures easier. The most important seminar I took part in was "Communication and Media", which was held ran for two weeks in Berlin. I visited some of the biggest news agencies and print houses and actively took part in the working process of printing a magazine issue. This experience of communicating with people from different cultures bent [not the right word - what did you mean here?]with the media impressions [not sure of your meaning - media contacts, perhaps?] I made, clearly pointed out my future way direction 

After graduating high school I was self-dependent independent and self-confident enough to carry out my studies in a foreign country. Considering my affinity to arts and languages I applied for "Digital Media", because it combines both design and media competence. I experienced my first year as a great inspiration.The first year was a great inspiration to me. In the first and second term we learnt the fundamentals of design and computer science by means of theoretical and practical exercises. Courses like "Theory of Media" and "Media Engineering" have put the basis of forged my understanding what media actually is.
As I consider myself more as of an art ['art' generally means 'fine art', 'arts' encompasses new media studies] student I have focused on lectures at the University of Applied Arts in the current third semester. I have enrolled in a bachelor-project for the Syne-Institute (part of this university), which ends in summer 2008. We have an assignment to build up create a new identity[or image? logo?] of for a local Radio and TV sender. broadcaster? service? I am really enjoying the process of bringing up [not the right word here] a new image [not quite sure what you mean here?]of a company: briefing, analyzing, developing and presenting ideas for a real client.

Working on various projects, reading, and holding out giving / making presentations, made me realize how essential media and digital technology are nowadays. I am permanently seeking challenges and trying to find a way not just to be a part of this modern world, but actively change it. I have a clear vision for what I want to achieve through my study - I want to be able to create innovative, interactive and entertaining systems for the different walks of life [not quite the right phrase here].  I am confident in my personality and my skills, but I recognized that my knowledge in some areas is limited. I therefore have chosen your program, because it suits my interests and needs most.

I have carefully read the descriptions of your courses and since I am attracted from to the topic of design and communication, I have found [using the past tense here implies you have already taken these courses.  Perhaps say, I would find ]the following highly interesting: “Design, Media and Culture”, “Communication and Interaction”, “Production Process of Communication Design” and “Combining Media”. I would like to visit take / follow these courses [I think in AmE you could say classes here to avoid repetition - check with one of the native US speakers on the site?] , because they will enrich my knowledge and help me put it bring it to a higher standard [or, help me deepen my understanding ]. It would be a great pleasure for me to study in Thailand, not only because of the course variety. I am eager to meet experience such a distant culture [perhaps, a culture so different from my own] and take the best make the most of the time I will spend there.

Yours faithfully,
Ivan Yanev