Hi everyone,
I am a Biologist and I am applying for a Ph.D. The supervisor asked me to send my CV plus 2 letters of recommendations....the problem is that as I am Italian, my 2 references (profs who I did intern ships with) are Italian too...so...we don't have idea how to write these letters. Some advises?
Thanks in advance

Normally a letter of recommendation goes something like this (having written one recently).

Firstly, they state who they are and in what capacity they have known you and for how long. (e.g. "I am a professor in curtain studies at Ipod University. I have known Ramona for a year when I supervised her masters in curtain making")

Then they need to give an opinion on your work ("She shows great creativity and her curtains were very novel and compelling") and you as a person ("Ramona is very studious and contributes well in discussions on curtains around the world").

Often it is good to have some statement as to why they think you would be suitable for the PhD ("Based on my knowledge of Ramona, I think she would be well suited to a PhD in the history of the curtain as she has shown that she is both academically able and also able to work well independently").

hi Ramona
DanB gave very good advice :-) :-) :-)
You can also look up sample letters of recommendation; and write one in Italian or English about yourself (put yourself in your profs' shoes!) and then give it to them to have a look; if they may change or add anything; and then they sign it--and there you have your letters!!! just make sure you don't write the same thing for your two referees.

Some professors don't have time to sit and write letters; or simply may not even know you enough to write something solid (!!) and they do appreciate it if we come up with some kind of draft letter of recommendation.

If your letters will be in italian, make sure you have a verified translated copy in English!
good luck
love satchi

THANKS