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!

I think my pig is whistling – German idioms

Idioms and proverbs are unique in each language and may cause some confusion when they are translated literally. Here we have a list for you with some common German idioms.

To have an earworm – “Einen Ohrwurm haben“
No, this is not a German disease. “Having an earworm” is the German way of saying: “To have a song stuck in one`s head”

To let the pig out – “Die Sau rauslassen”
Used when someone is going to celebrate wildly, is going have fun or letting himself go.

I think my pig is whistling – “Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift“

Expression is meant to signify a tremendous surprise or astonishment as if a pig would start to whistle. A similar idiom meaning the same is “I think a horse is kicking me” (Ich glaub’ mich tritt ein Pferd).

Not having all cups in the cupboard – “Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben“

Referring to a person that is crazy. A similar idiom might be the English expression “Not playing with a full desk”. Other idioms having the same meaning are “To have a bird”  (Einen Vogel haben) or “To have a screw loose” (Eine Schraube locker haben).

That was for the cat – “Das war für die Katz“

Implying that something was a waste of time. There are several other German idioms including the word “cat”, for example: “To buy the cat in the bag” (Die Katze im Sack kaufen) meaning to get oneself into an unknown or risky situation without checking the conditions before.

Do the fly – “Mach die Fliege“

Demanding someone to leave quickly.

To get on one’s cookie – “Jemandem auf dem Keks gehen“

To get on somebody’s nerves. Another expression also commonly used to imply that someone is annoyed by somebody or something is “To get on one’s alarm” (Jemandem auf den Wecker gehen).

To talk around the hot porridge – “Um den heißen Brei herumreden“

Is used when someone does not have the courage to talk about something openly or when a person describes an issue roundabout, lengthy and without naming the important aspects.

Sich eine Eselsbrücke bauen – “To build oneself a donkey bridge“

This idiom refers to a mental tool that creates a connection between two ideas in order remember them more easily. For example, German pupils remind themselves of the correct writing of the word “nämlich” with the “Eselsbrücke”: “Wer nämlich mit “h” scheibt, ist dämlich.”

That’s not my beer – “Das ist nicht mein Bier”

That’s none of my business or that’s not my problem.

To tie a bear on someone  – “Jemandem einen Bär aufbinden“

To hoax or lie to someone (playfully) by tricking him to believe something untrue.

That is sausage to me – “Das ist mir Wurst“

Especially used in Bavaria but also common in other German regions, meaning I couldn’t care less. Beside this idiom we also use the expression: “Now it goes around the sausage” (Jetzt geht es um die Wurst) as the German equivalent to “Its neck, or nothing”.

I only understand train station – “Ich versteht nur Bahnhof verstehen“

Do not or do not want to understand a topic or issue.

To have the nose full – “Die Nase voll haben”

To be sick or tired of something.

Holla the woodnymp – “Holla die Waldfee”

A cry of astonishment or surprise (in a positive way). Its origin is a matter of conjecture. Some people trace it back to an ancient card game, others insist that the idiom originates from the German fairy tale “Mother Mulda” (Frau Holle).

Keep your ears stiff – “Halt die Ohren steif”

Could be translated as “Hang in there”. It is used to wish someone the best of luck or to impress one`s comfort.

To have a total sock-shot – “Einen totalen Sockenschuss haben”

Is used to say that someone is out of his mind.

You can take poison on that  –  “Darauf kannst du Gift nehmen”

This idiom expresses that an issue is irrevocably right. A suitable English equivalent might be “You can bet your life on it.”

To be on the woodway – “Auf dem Holzweg sein”

“Du bist auf dem Holzweg” is a common expression to describe that someone is wrong or mistaken.

Now we have the salad – “Jetzt haben wir den Salat”

Is used when something goes wrong or when some kind of misfortune/accident couldn’t be averted. A salad consists of different ingredients mixed together and portrays the “chaos” the idiom refers to.

So which one do you like the most? Let us know your opinion!

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)