Some suggestions included below - very best of luck with your application.
Dear Sir or Madam, ( Is - most distinguished Ladys and Gentlemen or To Whom it May Concern... - better? No! But if you have a name, use the person’s name)
I am writing to apply as an exchange student for the Sculpture Program at the National Academy of Arts for the winter semester 2007/08. I am an Austrian student attending my fourth semester of fine Arts, majoring in “Sculpture – Transmedial Space” studies at the University of Arts and Industrial Design in Linz, Austria.
I know that the experience of studying abroad will help me to develop myself and to improve my knowledge. It has been my ambition to study at the National Academy for the [or of ] Arts in Sophia since I first saw your website four months ago. The university program in Sofia is structured differently from my university's, and that is one reason for my decision and my interest in applying to your academy. For example, we do not have the opportunity to work with materials like stone or bronze, and we do not have such a clear focus on the natural world as the starting point for studies. nor are our studies are based on the study of nature [this clause reads a little strangely - what do you mean here? Life drawing?](I do not know how do describe it in English – I do not mean Life drawing- I mean we do not have nature as example, ideal or model for our works- we are not working in the tradition of naturalism – I do not find the word I am searching for and it is not in my dictionary –is it imaginable to explain what I mean? Is that something like it?). The stone sculptures from my portfolio are up to five years old. They are results of a six day workshop which is run once a year in a Roman sandstone pit in St. Margarethen im Burgenland, Austria. From the very first time I worked with stone I have been fascinated by this material. The possibility of learning more in this area is another important reason for my application. Our courses in Sculpture - Transmedial Space programme focus on experimental work in relation to space and situation-specific work. Through this education I want to develop my awareness and appreciation of the subtle details eye for fine variances [wrong word? Not sure what you mean here] ( another word for minor differences) in my surroundings; to see how tiny variations affect their environment; and from there develop my own projects. which [consider the social life to find a differential few and to learn to develop own projects] - Sorry, I can't work out what you mean here. Is there another way to say it?(minor differences pertaining the social life by means to find a differential view onto situations- to learn to develop own projects of(from) this situation. Is it possible to say it in this way: Through this education I want to develop my eye for fine variances in my surroundings to find a differential view onto situations of the social life, to seek after new ideas to realize own projects.? Is that something more like you mean?) This is also a reason for me to search for an opportunity to study sculpture in a traditional form. I want to experience an alternative approach to sculpture studies to broaden my outlook and explore how traditional and modern forms of sculpture can complement one another.
I was struck (fascinating -I always thought struck has got a negative association – no, can be positive too) by the description of the sculpture program at your university: based on traditional foundations, but open to new ideas. I think this also reflects Bulgaria as a country, in the political decision to become a member of the European Union. I am fascinated by the changes the country has made and I think it is open to new ideas. To me, it feels like there is a great forward movement to develop in new directions, [wrong word?] (should I write objectives?) and it is an exciting prospect to be in Bulgaria at this time of change. that makes [it] [what do you mean - Bulgaria, or being in Bulgaria at this time of change?] (both but for me it is more important to be there at the time of change) attractive. My ideas are very different, as are my projects. I often change my materials to find the right one for each idea. This multi-dimensional approach is also shown by my portfolio which I have put together to provide an insight into my creative process. I would be thrilled if you gave me the opportunity to learn from the skills of your Professors, as well as the chance to get to know and understand a little about the Bulgarian people and culture. for an [interchange] [wrong word] (exchange of ideas?) with Bulgarian people.
(I am impressed by the descriptions of your program, and as I am particularly interested in fine arts, I found the following highly interesting: [it doesn't seem quite right to be quoting their own prospectus back at them - is this sentence necessary?] I am particularly intersted in fine arts, and would like to take the courses in sculpture, composition, drawing, history of art, working in material, aspects of modern sculpture, photography, aesthetics and foreign languages, tp develop my understanding of the theory and history of art, and to enable me to apply it more effectively to my own work. because they will enrich my knowledge and help me apply it at a higher standard. It would be a great pleasure for me to study in Bulgaria, not least because of the course variety. I am eager to learn about such a distant culture different from my own and I will make the most of the time I spend there.
I hope you will consider my application and can regard me as a well motivated candidate to this program.