Below is the Sample SOP for Student Visa New Zealand
To
The Visa Officer
New Zealand Immigration
Sub: Application requesting a study visa
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, Tarun Mishra, a Biotechnology engineering graduate from New Delhi, would like to express my genuine intent to visit your country for higher education. Driven by my vision of ameliorating food safety standards for the underprivileged people of my home country, I am eager to learn about this field comprehensively to achieve the same. To solidify this vision, I have enrolled in the Master of Food Safety and Quality program at Massey University, New Zealand, for the February 2022 intake. Through this application, I seek to explain my purpose behind visiting New Zealand and my incentives to return to India after completing my higher studies.
Family background
I belong to a small but loving family of five consisting of my parents, my brothers (elder and younger), and me. My mother is a homemaker and my father is a retired bank Manager. Both of my brothers are engineers and work for MNCs. I completed my schooling initially in New Delhi and then continued with my matriculation, intermediate, and undergraduate studies in Gurugram. We are well settled in India and have no intention to relocate anywhere else. My family has been my pillar of support throughout my life. It is only because they believe in me that I have made it this far and can confidently dream big. They are leading a comfortable life in my hometown and have no intention of relocating elsewhere. Therefore, after completing my studies, I will return to India and work towards achieving my dream while taking care of my family.
Academic background
My academic pursuits have played a major role in shaping my career choices and realizing my vision, which is to work for the greater good of my country’s people. I completed my 10th and 12th grades in 2011 and 2013, respectively. I had opted science stream for my intermediate studies. After completing my intermediate education, my inclination toward Biotechnology led me to opt for a BTech program in Biotechnology at <add your college>. I completed my undergraduate studies in 2017 with a CGPA of 7.1. During this program, I studied subjects such as bioinformatics, immunology, food biotechnology, microbiology, genetic engineering, industrial engineering, and much more. However, I was particularly inclined towards food biotechnology and was certain that I wanted to embrace a career in this field and tap into the abundant pool of opportunities it offers.
Work experience
I was introduced to the real-world industry while pursuing my undergraduate program as I engaged in various internship programs and industrial visits. I had the opportunity to work as an intern at MG Foods & Beverages Ltd. This one-month experience at this manufacturing unit equipped me with insights into the production process of packaging, sensory testing, quality testing, and the various national and international laws related to the beverage industry. I then interned at Rapture Biotech for a month. This experience helped me gain an extensive understanding and insights into fermentation technology, industrial microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
During my final semester, I qualified for the national-level GATE 2017 examination, which is mandatory for students seeking admission to top universities in India. However, I did not apply for it, as I had decided that I wanted to gain global exposure and pursue my higher studies overseas. However, due to financial constraints, I could not apply to international institutions back then. Moreover, the pandemic also proved to be a huge barrier, as there were no government jobs and recruitment was halted everywhere, due to which I could not secure a good job.
Despite the hardships, I didn’t give up and decided to go back to my hometown and teach underprivileged children for two years. Simultaneously, I prepared for various government exams and, in March 2020, appeared for an exam for the post of technical officer in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Although I cleared the first stage of this exam, I was unable to qualify for the second stage in December 2020. However, preparing for this exam helped me gain a lot of knowledge about food safety and standards and further cemented my desire to pursue my master’s in the related field at an international university.
English language proficiency
In order to prove my proficiency in English, I appeared for the IELTS examination in 2023. I secured an overall band score of 6.5 and an individual score of 6.5 in listening, 6 in reading, 6.5 in writing, and 6.0 in speaking. Please find attached my IELTS scorecard for your reference.
Why New Zealand?
My interest in New Zealand was sparked by its outstanding food production and safety standards as well as its long-standing reputation for creating high-quality food products. I was surprised to see how it strictly adheres to food safety regulations to ensure food products’ safety, purity, nutrition, and quality. It thus seemed all the more ideal to study in a nation that places such high emphasis on its produce and its quality. Based on my research, I am certain that New Zealand is the perfect study destination for me to learn comprehensively about food safety and quality. Also, the country has an exceptional education system with a strong focus on experiential learning, innovative research, and globally valued credentials. Studying in a country that will provide me with the necessary exposure on both academic and social fronts, will mold me into a well-rounded professional with excellent global exposure and networks.
Why Master of Food Safety and Quality?
While teaching the underprivileged children, I witnessed the quality of the food they consumed and fathomed that not only was it unbelievably low in nutrition but was also prepared in unhealthy conditions, thereby increasing their risk of falling ill. Becoming familiar with the conditions of the poor, who were deprived of health and hygiene with no access to nutritious food, instilled in me a burgeoning desire to do something to improve their lives. This unwavering penchant for bringing a significant change to the quality of life of the unprivileged makes me give it the form of a specialization in Food Safety and Quality.
Pursuing this program is the perfect means for me to gain a comprehensive understanding of food packaging, preservation, and storage, advanced food quality, big public health issues, food quality safety and innovation, strategic food product development, and much more. This will enable me to learn in-depth about food with a longer shelf life, conduct experiments to develop state-of-the-art machines and equipment that produce safer products for customers, and apply epidemiology and biostatistics for policy development and decision-making in the health system. Apart from this, it will help me build a solid foundation in foodborne pathogens, food processing, risk assessment, quality assurance, and international food safety law.
Why not India or any other country?
Having completed all my education in India, I have become familiar with the setbacks of my country’s education system, such as the focus on theoretical learning and rigid curriculums. I personally wanted to pursue a program that focuses equally on theoretical and practical learning and provides me with excellent experiential learning. To achieve my dream, I need quality education and to advance my knowledge pool and skill set to be at par with international standards. Given New Zealand’s reputation for food safety and quality, in addition to its multicultural population, safety standards, and unparalleled infrastructure; I find it to be the perfect study destination.
Why Massey University?
Massey University in New Zealand is renowned worldwide for being a pioneer in food science, food safety, and agriculture-related programs. The university offers an exhaustive industry-based curriculum, state-of-the-art laboratories, industry interaction, and exposure to regional food industry practices and regulations, all of which will enable me to explore the depths of this field and deepen my understanding. I am excited to study in Massey University’s supportive and inclusive learning environment, and make the most of the hands-on learning I will receive from the dedicated and highly experienced faculty.
Future plans
India has a huge population, as a result of which it is one of the largest food consumer markets in the world. Not adhering to the rules governing food safety and disregarding the overall quality and standard of food can have an enormously adverse impact on the lives of the people, especially in a country with such a huge population as India. In such a situation the ones that suffer the most are the sick, infants, and elderly, particularly the poor and underprivileged as they get neglected due to multiple reasons. Although it is a daunting endeavor and demands great commitment and hard work to promote good health and optimum food quality in such a huge nation, I am determined to take the chance. I have decided to dedicate my life to bringing about a change in the lives of thousands of people in my home country, which will definitely improve the overall health and well-being of my country. My mission in life is to make noteworthy contributions to the development of the Indian food industry by regulating food safety and quality. I aim to establish a small-scale food packaging business in my home country targeted at improving hygiene and preventing food-borne illnesses that deprived people suffer from. I am confident that my newfound knowledge and skills will help me achieve my goals. Thus, I will return to India and work towards accomplishing my dream and ensuring that my learnings are utilized for the betterment of society.
Family Ties
Another incentive to return to my home country is my family, to which I am deeply attached. Being a family-oriented person, I have no interest in settling in a foreign land and wish to continue living with my parents in familiar surroundings. All of them have played a significant role in my life and have always supported me through thick and thin. Even when I decided to devote my time to teaching children for free during the lockdown, they supported my decision and encouraged me to do what I feel is best for me. When I decided to study abroad, I received immense support from them for this as well. I am glad to be a part of such an understanding family and I want to be their pillar of support too. Since my parents are aging, it is my responsibility to take care of them and be there for them just like they have always been there for me. I cannot even comprehend settling elsewhere with them living miles away from me. Thus, I have no intention to relocate and will immediately return to India to my parents and make them proud of my achievements.
Conclusion
I hereby state that I am financially sound and my parents have generously agreed to sponsor my education. We have taken an educational loan of INR <mention amount> from <mention bank>. We have enough savings that will be used to bear my cost of living. Also, my father and both of my brothers are working and have ample funds to comfortably manage my education and living expenses in New Zealand. I assure you that I have attached all the relevant documents alongside this application for your kind perusal. I request you to kindly consider my application as that of a genuine temporary entrant and allow me to pursue higher studies in your country.
Sincerely,
Tarun Mishra
