DAAD scholarships – How to get one?

You want to study in Germany but you can´t afford it? Then apply for the DAAD scholarship!  Never heard of it? The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest funding organization in the world encouraging outstanding young students and academics from abroad to come to Germany for study and research visits.

The DAAD runs over 200 programmes, ranging from semesters abroad for undergraduates to doctoral programmes lasting several years, from study visits to specialist courses, from information-gathering visits by high level delegations from foreign universities to assistance in the establishment of effective higher education systems in developing countries. As a matter of principle, the DAAD’s funding programmes are open to scholars from all disciplines and countries in the world for either visits to or from Germany. (https://www.daad.de/)

Where to look for a suitable scholarship?

Here you can find information on various kinds of DAAD funding for foreign students, graduates and postdocs as well as on funding offered by other selected organisations:

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-finding-scholarships/

How to apply for a scholarship?

Information on the application papers to be submitted can be found in the application form (“Antrag auf ein Forschungs-/Studienstipendium” / “Application for a Research Grant/Study Scholarship), which is available on the DAAD website: http://www.daad.de/en/form

When do I have to submitt my application?

You can find information on the precise deadlines for the submission of applications and on the address to which applications must be submitted as well as additional country-specific information by going to the DAAD website: www.daad/de/stipendien

What are the selection criteria?

As a rule, a pre-selection round or an assessment of incoming applications is carried out by a pre-selection committee. The DAAD Selection Committees will above all base their decision

• on the proof of academic achievements which students submit (credits, certificates, etc.),
• on reports, references or letters of recommendation submitted by university teachers, and
• on a description of the study or research project in question.

Find out more here: https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/hinweise/en/8459-general-information-for-scholarship-applicants/

Do I have to speak German in order to apply for DAAD scholarship?

The level of German language proficiency which applicants are required to have is primarily dependent on the planned study or research project. Foreign students wishing to matriculate at a German university must, as a rule, present proof of adequate proficiency in the German language.

What do other sholars say about their scholarships/DAAD/life in Germany?

Find out more in the DAAD blog: https://www.daad.de/blog/

Do you have any other questions regarding the DAAD scholarship? Ask us!

We wish you good luck with your application!

Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung: “In the service of democracy, peace and development”

We have already talked about German Foundations and in particular about the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation previously. Now we would like to present you another one: the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The Hanns Seidel Foundation is a Bavarian political foundation which was established in 1967 in name of Hanns Seidel, a former Bavarian former minister-president and CSU chairman. Under the motto: “In the service of democracy, peace and development”, the foundation pursuit the aim of democratic and civic education of the German and foreign people with a Christian basis.

Since 1981, the Foundation have begun to financially support German and foreign students with outstanding achievements and particularly relevant social or political engagement.

Not only German students can apply for a scholarship, but also foreign students, as the foundation offers a special scholarship, the so called “BIL/MIG Program”, which is adressed to students with immigrant backgrounds.

Ideal promotion: beyond the financial support

I am proud to say that since a year I am a scholar of the foundation, belonging to the “BIL/MIG Program” at the University of Passau. I do not receive just financial support for my studie in Germany, but also the possibility to attend seminars and meetings, which aim at the improvement of my further education. To this specific program belong lots of international students, who are attending their full degree program in Germany. Each scholar has to attend at lest two seminars each year, which are held in the educational centers of Wildbad Kreuth and Kloster Banz or even abroad! The variety of seminars offered is very extensive (from politics to intercultural communication etc.) and the scholars can choose the most suitable ones, according to their interests or field of studies. Moreover, seminars and other meetings, like the annual conference of the international scholars, are a great opportunity to meet new people from all around the world, to exchange opinions about current issues and, why not, even to improve your intercultural skills!

The local group at your university

Moreover each scholar is assigned to a local group and to a trust professor in the place he/she is studying. I have to say that, as a foreign student, it was a great pleasure for me becoming part of the group in Passau and it even facilitated my first contact with the Bavarian culture. Furthermore, the scholars’ spokespeople organize a detailed programm each semester, which includes cultural events such as theatre and concert visits, panel discussions, but also monthly meetings and info-events. During Christmas time the scholars of the local group organize some particualr activities such as backing Christmas cookies, which have always been donated, and singing at the local hospital and at the old people’s home.

An after the graduation?

When a scholar is done with the study he/she becomes a memeber of the former scholars club of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and still has the opportunity to attend specific seminars and to keep in touch with other former scholars.

To sum up…

…becoming a scholar of Hanns Seidel Foundation means not only receiving financial support for your education but above all becoming part of a great network, which will help you building part of your future! If you are a talented and social or political involved foreign student, who shares Hanns Seidel Foundation’s core ideals and is willing to study in Germany, do not hesitate to apply for a “BIL/MIG” scholarship. Good luck!

Numbers and Facts:

In 2012, the Hanns Seidel Foundation awards the following scholarships in Germany:

• 407 University scholarships
• 226 Scholarships at Higher Education Establishments (HAW)
• 76 Scholarships for Journalists (JFS)
• 63 BIL-/MIG-Programme for students with German diplomas and students with migration background
• 61 International Studies
• 189 Scholarships for PhD candidates
• 1022 Scholarships in Germany
• 87 Scholarships abroad

Source: Hanns Seidel Foundation home page

 

For more infos about the foundation and application: http://www.hss.de/english/scholarships.html

The Study-Abroad Mentors

In today’s globalized world, borders are not considered a limitation anymore but an incentive to travel abroad and experience new cultures.

Many students decide to leave their homeland and pursue a study program or internship in a different country. Today like never before, the process of internationalization plays a critical role in most universities worldwide. These programs aim at increasing and facilitating the mobility of their students. Consequently, international mobility is a top issue at University of Passau. The school offers not only establishments such as the International Office and the Career Service, but also additional services provided by students. An example of this is the “Auslandstutoren” (Study-Abroad Mentors).

The team of the Study-Abroad Mentors is composed of eight students who are working as assistants and are responsible for advising students who want to spend a period of time in the following areas: Italy, France, Spain/Portugal, UK/Ireland, USA, France/Québec, Latin America, South-East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe. Each mentor can provide expertise in one of these locations from their own previous experience either studying or doing an internship. Each mentor offers a consultation session, which takes place every 3 weeks in his or her university office.  A Study-Abroad Mentors’ enjoy working with both German and international students who wish to plan their work/study abroad.

Also, they arrange several events that focus on preparation and provide a reflection of abroad programs such as “Rückkehrerseminar”(seminar for students who have just come back) and “Wegfahrerseminar”(seminar for students who are going to leave). Additionally, they organize workshops to go along with the lecture: Introduction in the Intercultural Communication. These seminars they are organized by the Department of Intercultural Communication, which developed the concept of the “Auslandtutoren” a few years ago. Good communication and cooperation with the International Office (the people who supervise mentors from an administrative point of view), the Career Services, different “Fachschaften” and university groups is a crucial point to establish great results.

So, if you are planning your stay abroad and want to take advice from students who have lived the same experiences before get in touch with the Study-Abroad Mentors. Go to their office, visit the events or just send them an email!

For more info:

http://www.uni-passau.de/international/internationale-gruppen/auslandstutoren/

What it feels like to be a Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung scholar?

If you want to study in Germany, but don’t know how to finance it, you apply for a German scholarship. There are a lot of different possibilities for students from abroad such as DAAD, (one of the most famous organizations for scholarships in Germany). But there are also a lot of different political foundations. For instance: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Hanns Seidel Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, etc.

So if you want to apply for a scholarship, I would advise you to search for different scholarship programs and choosing the one that is the best fit for your target education.

I’m currently a scholar of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and really happy about it. I’ve received much more than just a financial support for my education.

Application:

Here you can find all you need to know about how and when you can apply for a scholarship:

http://www.kas.de/wf/de/42.37/

You should begin very early with your application to get all paperwork in order. The first step is a written application. It is important to present not only your great academic achievements, but also outstanding political or social involvements. Also, make sure to explain why you want to study in Germany, why it is important for you and how it will contribute to the development of your country and how it will benefit the relationship between your country and Germany.

The second step of the selection process is an interview. I was a bit nervous because I was alone in Moscow and realized that everything depends on what I say during this discussion with interviewers. If you are invited to the interview, you are already one of the best, and you should focus on proving to the selection committee that you are the right person. Tell them what you want to achieve and why. The people on the committee were very nice and you can laugh with them. They understand that it is not so easy for you so you don’t be intimidated.

If you are a scholar

First of all you will get financial support for your education. And this is why most students from abroad apply for scholarships and the reason I did it.

Later, I found out that it’s only one little part of the numerous activities offered to Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung scholars!

In the city you are studying you belong to a group of scholars. All scholars are organized in local groups throughout Germany and abroad (we have also a great number of alumni (more than 10 000) worldwide!). In your local group you will meet many interesting people with whom you will have frequent lectures, trips, meetings and a lot of fun. Also, each group has a contact professor, who will help you out if you need it.

As a scholar you must attend a minimum of 4 seminars from an extensive seminar program. Sounds boring? Believe me, it isn’t! There are a lot of different subjects that are discussed in the seminars (a lot of political, of course, but not only!) and you can choose something interesting for you. The thing I like best about seminars is that I get the chance to meet really great people! Lastly, you can make friends not only all over Germany, but all over the world too! In the 3-4-7 day seminars you will sleep just maybe 4 hours a night since every evening after obligatory program, you will go with other scholars and lecturers to the wine cellar for a nice evening. Oh! And I forgot to tell you… Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung holds most of their seminars in castles! (like the one in the picture) There are also a lot of seminars abroad!

Moreover, you have the great possibility to organize your own seminar for scholars. That means you can think about interesting subjects and organize accommodation for scholars and lecturers (who you find and invite), food, program, evening program, party, etc. It’s a really great experience!

Furthermore, you get a lot of information about all possible practical works in Germany and abroad along with invitations to different conferences and projects. You can also take part on different KAS conferences, a talent academy, and KAS activities. It is just impossible to describe everything you can do being a KAS scholar!

So apply for a scholarship and enjoy your time in Germany!

Studying in Passau from A-Z: Terms and phrases you need to know!

 Audimax– name of the largest lecture hall in Passau
(for location of various campus buildings see map: http://www.uni-passau.de/fileadmin/dokumente/Lageplan/UNI-Lageplan_Info_mini.pdf)

Blockveranstaltung– lecture that isn’t evenly distributed throughout the term and a few classes longer

Credit Points– refers to the value attached to each subject that is part of your studies (depending on your studies, the completion of a master’s degree generally requires 120 credit points)

„Dult (Maidult+Herbstdult)“– two events that take place in Passau (May and September) that are considered to be the „Passauer Oktoberfest“…so put on your Dirndl/Lederhosen and have a „Maß“ (one liter of beer)!

Einrichtungen– from „Graduiertenzentrum“, „Rechenzentrum“ to „Sportzentrum“ and more: who does what and where? (for further information: http://www.uni-passau.de/universitaet/einrichtungen/)

Firmenkontaktmesse– „Campus meets Company“ takes place in November (this year: 25th November, 11 am-4 pm in the „Sportzentrum“) the possibility for students to get in contact with international and national companies (for further information: http://www.uni-passau.de/cmc/)

Gründung– Passau university was founded in 1978 and counts 11.316 students with 798 international students (as of 30th September 2013)

Hochschulsport– Boxing, handball, yoga, and much more…you just need to pay a 10€ fee for one semester. Check out the programme for this term (http://online.sportz.uni-passau.de/angebote/aktueller_zeitraum/index.html)

Ilias– besides „Stud.iP“, one of the two systms that lecturers use to provide students the according documents and materials (for further information: Ilias

http://intelec-hilfe.uni-passau.de/ilias_hilfethemen.html; Studip:
http://intelec-hilfe.uni-passau.de/studip_hilfethemen.html)

June 2013– worst flooding in 500 years that badly hit Passau with a water level of 12,89 meters (Donau)

Kulturcafete– the famous café on campus that has a place to drink a coffee, study, or listen to live music (located at the „Nikolakloster“)

Lehrstühle, Professuren- to get an overview of the different faculties and their chairs, visit: http://www.uni-passau.de/universitaet/lehrstuehle-professuren/

Mensa– Passau did invest a lot of money to modernize the mensa and got several rewards for it. This resulted in higher prices compared to other university mensa’s in Germany (http://www.uni-passau.de/bereiche/presse/pressemeldungen/meldung/detail/mensa-des-
jahres-passauer-atmosphaere-bundesweit-spitze/)

Netzwerke– Passau university is involved in different communities, e.g. once you finished your Master’s: Alumni (http://www.alumniportal-deutschland.org/startseite.html); for all students and graduates of „Kulturwirtschaft“ and „European Studies“: kuwi netzwerk international e.V.
(http://www.kuwi.de)

O-Woche– abbreviation for „Orientierungswoche“: one week before the actual beginning of a (first) term, there are information events as well as fun evenings with the opportunityy to get to know other classmates

Prüfungen– at the end of each term there are 2-3 weeks of exams: good luck!

Quietschie– expression for all freshmen at university of Passau (referring to the fact that freshmen are sometimes late because they do not find a room; consequently the door “squeaks (dt.: quietschen)“)

Rückmeldung– signing up for the next term is essential: the date is published in advance…so don’t be late!

Studenfinanzierungsmöglichkeiten– there are different opportunities for financing your stay in Germany. Have a look at our blog entries and visit: http://www.uni-passau.de/studium/studienorganisation/studienfinanzierung/

(Auslands)Tutoren– interested in helping students to plan their semester abroad in your country? Visit the website and join the team: http://www.uni-passau.de/international/internationale-gruppen/auslandstutoren/(There will
be an article published on our blog soon)

Universitätsbibliothek– literature research, exhibitions, trainings: there is a lot you should know about the library in Passau (website now also available in English: http://www.ub.uni-passau.de/en/)

Vorlesungsfreie Zeit– that’s what students are waiting for the entire semester: from the end of February to mid April and from August until the beginning of October, there is no university in Passau! Enjoy your free time!

Wohnungsknappheit– Especially this semester, there is a lack of accomodation due to an increasing number of students. Check out our blog and the following link:
(http://www.stwno.de/joomla/de/wohnen/zimmerboerse)

X-Mas– What’s Christmas like in Germany? Have you ever been to a „Weihnachtsmarkt“? Visit the „Christkindlmarkt“ in Passau starting on 27th November at the „Domplatz“ (We will keep you updated in our blog as well)

(Wh)y Passau? Seven reasons why you should choose Passau to do your Master’s degree: http://www.uni-passau.de/international/welcome/. See you soon!

Zentrum für Schlüsselqualifikation– the institute that offers a broad range of „Blockseminare“ or training opportunities in the area of “Intercultural, social, and self-competence“ (for further information: http://www.zfs.uni-passau.de)