24January2014

LetterofMotivation
Towhomitmayconcern
IaminterestedinapplyingfortheMasterofInternationalLawandEconomics(MILE)in
WorldTradeInstitutestartingin2014.
Mygreatinterestininternationallawandinternationaltradehasbeennurturedbymy
workingexperienceinthefieldoftransferpricingwithErnst&Young.Iworkedwith
Ernst&YoungformorethanthreeyearsinbothVietnamandAustralia.Globalisation
has created increasing opportunities for companies to reconsider their supply chain
restructuring,i.e.matchingwheretoprocurematerials,producemanufacturedproducts,
distributefinishedgoodsandotherfunctionstothebestsuitedlocations.Whileadvising
on those matters from a tax/transfer pricing perspective, I have gained substantial
knowledgeandexperienceininternationaltaxandotherinternationalbusinessandtrade
implications.Ihavewitnessed,learnedandappliedthechangesinVietnamstradepolicy
andlegislativesystem(especiallythetaxandtariffsystem)andhavebeenabletooffer
advicetomultinationalcompaniesregardingtheirinternationaltransactionsandbusiness
structure.Asataxadvisor,Ifoundthisprocessremarkablyinterestingandsatisfying.It
was particularly satisfying to see the misconception of some vague or illdefined
national interest being slowly removed and replaced bya commitment to a highly
integratedglobaleconomywithvastpotentialtoproducegreaterwealthandhigherliving
standards. It has been a very complex process that has required Vietnam to take
advantage of globalisation while at the same time, minimising the
disadvantages. To handle these challenges, Vietnam needs more insightful
policymakers who combine a knowledge of law, economics and the
political economics of international trade in order to understand all the
implications in all their decisions on national trade policies from both
global commercial relations and a Vietnamese perspective.
Besides the practical knowledge I have gained during my employment,
the undergraduate program in Business and Administrations and the MBA
program focusing on International Business have formed the basis of my
perseverance towards achieving an in-depth knowledge in the field of
international business and economics. As a part of my four year
undergraduate program I studied subjects relating to diverse aspects of
law, economics and foreign trade including General Principles of Law,
Business Law, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics and
Probability Theory with Economic Applications. The MBA program has
equipped me with a deep knowledge of the global environment and its
constant changes and impacts on organisations.
My decision to pursue the MILE program is also underscored by my desire
to work in a consulting organisation providing advice to the Vietnamese

government in its trade policy in order to facilitate its integration in the

global economy while reducing the negative impacts of the globalisation
process. I want to pursue further education in this field so I can bring the
programs unique training approach to Vietnamese universities and
contribute to the creation of a generation of talented decision makers for
the country.
In Vietnam, although there have been a few programs in international
trade and international trade law, there is no program that combines and
reduces the gap between the three fields: international trade law, political
economy and economics. The reality is that a decision maker cannot
possess, and rely on, only one of these three fields and be expected to
handle the complexity involved in developing a national trade policy. The
MILE program provides a truly interdisciplinary curriculum in these three
fields and allows students to pursue in-depth studies with a strong applied
perspective on international trade regulation. Having worked in two
countries in international teams, I have always enjoyed diversity and
teamwork, which MILE will be able to offer. These distinguishing features
of the course have convinced me that MILE is the ideal choice for my
desired career.
With my academic background, real working experience, great interest in
the subjects and my strong research ability, I am confident that the
opportunity to pursue the MILE program will equip me with the right tools
so that I can attain my career objectives. By working under the guidance
of distinguished faculty members and with talented and motivated peers
from around the world, I shall certainly be able to take the fullest
advantage of my potential.
I would therefore feel proud to be able to secure admission to your
prestigious institute to pursue the MILE program. I am sure that I will
match all the credentials and will be able to maintain the high standards
of your university.