You may have discovered after looking at the application forms for the foreign universities you’re interested in attending that you must submit a letter of recommendation in addition to your essays and SOP. A letter of recommendation is a crucial component of your application process that influences whether or not you are admitted to the college of your choice. Many students struggle with their letters of recommendation because they lack the understanding of what the perfect recommendation letter should contain. Here is a sample recommendation letter for a student to study abroad to assist you in making that choice.
Who might ask you for a reference letter?
You might be requested to provide a study abroad reference letter if you are employed by a university or in a field where college students gain practical experience. Depending on the program requirements, the reference letter request may also come from experts in the study abroad office at the student’s college or from the admissions committee at the college where they intend to study abroad. People who might ask you for a recommendation letter include:
What is a study abroad reference letter?
A study abroad recommendation letter is written by a person who has interacted with the student in a formal capacity, such as at work or school. You might be asked to write a reference letter for a study abroad program application if you supervise students, teach students, or work with students. The objective of a study broad reference letter is to give the admissions committee information about the applicant’s personality, character traits, skills, and work during their current program of study.
How to write a reference letter for a study abroad program
You can use the following steps to write a study abroad recommendation letter:
1. Confirm you can write the letter
It’s crucial to get the student’s permission before you begin writing your letter so that you can serve as a reference. This can give students plenty of time to locate a different reference writer if needed. When confirming, you may also request that students submit any additional materials, such as their curriculum vitae, a personal letter, or any projects they completed with your guidance or oversight.
2. Verify due date and how to submit
Verifying the letter’s submission deadline and method can be another step in the pre-writing process. The submission methods can change depending on the program, and may include options like an online submission through a website, email, or mailing to a specific office. To confirm this data, you can speak with the student again or check online.
3. Review documentation from the student
Examining any materials about the student that are available for use in writing the reference letter, as a further step before writing, These sources may consist of previously completed projects, assignments the student completed under your supervision, or materials the student has submitted regarding the study abroad program. Some examples may include:
4. Begin letter with greeting
You can begin your letter with a standard salutation like this one:
The requirements in the study abroad program documentation may determine whether you should include a name or department. For instance, rather than a named candidate, there might be an academic search committee. In the absence of any details, you could use a standard salutation like “to whom it may concern.” “.
5. Write your introduction and how you know the student
You can provide a succinct introduction and information about how you know the student applicant in the first section of your letter. You could begin by introducing the student before introducing yourself and providing details about your position, place of employment, and line of work. You can then apply this to how you are acquainted with the applicant for the study abroad program.
6. Assess the students personal and professional qualities
You can discuss the student’s attributes that might make them a good fit for this study abroad program in your letter of recommendation. For instance, if they were a classmate of yours, you might discuss their aptitude for academic work, coursework they completed, or teamwork abilities on projects. You could write about their work ethic, the projects they worked on, or their problem-solving abilities if they were your intern or course assistant. Some other examples of skills to focus on can include:
When writing this section, you may avoid specific personal information. This may include academic records, test results, and private student information. It’s possible that students already disclosed this information in their application, allowing the reference letter to concentrate more on the skills and abilities of the student.
7. Share examples of students projects
You may mention sample assignments the student worked on or completed while working under your direction or supervision in your reference letter. These can be their individual projects, team projects, or projects on which they carried out particular tasks. If the student worked on multiple projects, you can highlight the ones that seem most relevant to the study abroad program.
8. Explain how this students studies and skills align with the study abroad program
You can include a section describing how the student’s skills, projects, and abilities align with the study abroad program after providing more information about the student. You could mention the student’s major or minor, some of their previously mentioned skills, or their areas of interest in research. This section can highlight the students’ qualifications for the study abroad program and their strengths.
9. Review your drafted study abroad reference letter
You can go back and edit the text once you’ve finished writing your letter before sending it. You can check your letter to make sure it remains on topic and emphasizes the student’s strong points. References letters are typically one page. If there is still room, you can close by inviting the institution to get in touch with you if they have any additional inquiries about the student.
10. Sign your reference letter
You have the option of printing and signing your letter or adding a digital signature. If your employer’s organization utilizes a formal letterhead, you may also include it. You can add a closing, your printed name, your signature below it, and your job title at the bottom to your signature.
Study abroad reference letter template
You can use the following sample reference letter for study abroad when creating your own reference letter:
[Greeting] [Name of individual or search committee],
My name is [insert your name], and [please describe your job title and duties]. On behalf of [name of student], who is [share their student status, major, and minor], I am writing this recommendation letter. I’ve known [name] for the past [number of months or years], and [share how you became friends with them]. At this point, [discuss what you have noticed or learned about their knowledge, experiences, and skills] [Share at least one project that the student worked on] [Name of Student] I have faith in [name of student]’s ability to advance their [describe research, studies, or goals] at your institution. I think they can benefit from their studies at [name institution] by bringing [repeat skills or abilities that align with the study abroad institution]. I wholeheartedly endorse [Name of Student] continuing his or her studies in your [Name of Subject] program. [Add a statement asking them to contact you if they want more details or if they have any questions. ].
[Sign-off]
[Signature]
[First and last name]
[Position title, institution]
Study abroad reference letter example
Here is an illustration of how to use the sample reference letter for study abroad:
Dear Study Abroad Admissions Committee,
Amelia Sarkofsky is my name, and I teach comparative literature as an assistant professor at Westerville University. Chloe Hernandez, a junior majoring in comparative literature with a minor in cultural linguistics, has asked me to provide a letter of recommendation on her behalf. I have known Chloe for two years now. They had previously taken my course on the history of the English language, and the following year they worked as a teaching assistant for it. At this time, they demonstrated effective time management by finishing their work and assignments on time, balancing multiple responsibilities, and demonstrating strong leadership abilities on projects and in the classroom. Chloe put what they had learned to use in a project involving digital storytelling, highlighting research and primary sources, and presenting it to a group of students and other faculty members. Their project is highlighted on our department website, and instructors are currently using it in the curriculum. I have faith in Chloe to carry out and advance your institution’s research on the effects of language across cultures. I think they can add their leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities and build on the research that has already been done in your program. For further study in your Culture and Language program at Brindelstone University, Chloe has my highest recommendation. Please get in touch with me if you have any additional queries or need more information about any of the aforementioned.
Best,
Amelia J. Sarkofsky
Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature, Westerville University
How to get a strong recommendation letter (Get Accepted to Your Dream University Part #8)
FAQ
How do I write a reference letter for study abroad?
In my capacity as his/her Professor, I have known (Student’s name) for more than three years, respectively. I taught him ( subject/s). My observations lead me to conclude that he or she is focused, diligent, and has a favorable attitude toward academics.
How do you ask someone to be a reference for study abroad?
A brief explanation of why you are applying to this program in particular, along with ideally how their course relates to the program’s academic content For recommendations on your academic performance, a resume, or a list of the extracurricular activities you participate in A clear deadline for submission.
How do you write a good reference letter for a student?
What to Include in a Letter of Reference. Reference letters should contain your name, contact information, a description of how you came to know the student, and an assessment of their particular skills and likelihood of success in their upcoming endeavor (whether it be further education or a new job).
Do international students need letters of recommendation?
The letters of recommendation are one of the most challenging components of submitting your application as an international student. To improve your chances of receiving an acceptance offer, ask your recommenders to give the admissions officers a better understanding of who you are.
