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

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!