The following are the first two paragraphs of a motivation letter for a Dutch student applying to an exchange program.
Dear Sir / Madam,
Bachelor exchange is about new experiences. Getting to know yourself better, getting to know new people, new environments. I would be honoured to be considered as a part of an experience like this.
Let [...]

Here’s the first part of an ESL student’s motivation letter.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
I am hereby applying for the English-taught bachelor’s programme in ___________, at the University of ___________, for the academic year 2009-2010.
Having lived my whole life in the same country, in the same city is has become my dearest dream to study abroad [...]

A motivation letter for a scholarship had the following introductory paragraph in its first draft:
Dear Sirs,
I recently graduate from the Engineering department of the ______ ________ ___ ________ awarding the title of _______ __________. In the last years I have been working on different projects related with nanoscience in collaborations with my University and the [...]