Interview
You were selected as a recipient of the Deutschlandstipendium in 2016. What was your experience of the application process at the time?
I found the application process at the time to be very pleasant and fair. In addition to academic performance, great importance is placed on the applicants’ voluntary and social engagement. I can only recommend that all committed students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences apply!
How important was the Deutschlandstipendium during your time at university? / What did it enable you to do?
The Deutschlandstipendium was actually of great significance during my time at university. I was able to focus 100 per cent on my studies without having to worry about money.
On the other hand, the scholarship also enabled me to volunteer for projects close to my heart. I had the great privilege of getting involved at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in the Finance Committee, the UNICEF University Group and a mentoring programme for my International Relations degree course.
Furthermore, I was able to contribute my skills to the ‘UN in the Classroom’ project run by the German Society for the United Nations (DGVN). As part of this, I am responsible for the design and implementation of project days and weeks. The aim of the project is to impart basic knowledge about the United Nations, such as its goals, tasks and structure, as well as the complexity of international cooperation. In the subsequent Security Council simulation, conducted in either German or English, current issues such as the armed conflict in Yemen, child soldiers or the conflict between Israel and Palestine are discussed. In this module, the pupils take on the role of a diplomat and discuss potential solutions to the respective issue. Since November 2017, I have been involved in the planning and delivery of multi-day training courses organised by the DGVN. The aim of these courses is to train new team members for the ‘UN in the Classroom’ project.
Without the scholarship, I would have had to spend my free time alongside my studies working a part-time job. I am therefore very grateful to have been supported by the Germany Scholarship for such a long period. It has helped me enormously in my personal development.
How close was your contact with the company that sponsored you?
During my time on the scholarship, I was in constant close contact with NIAG. I visited my supervisors at regular intervals and we exchanged ideas. This also allowed me to get a taste of areas of work that aren’t directly associated with the subject of International Relations.
Based on your experience, can you tell us what motivates companies to award Germany Scholarships?
Of course, I can only speak from my own experience. I believe that many companies are very grateful when they can give something back and support and encourage high-achieving, motivated and committed students. In addition, it is of course always a benefit for a company to be involved with young students and graduates. Not only to get to know potential future employees, but perhaps also to incorporate the students’ ideas into their own work.
You received funding for a total of three years. Was it difficult to get the scholarship extended?
Personally, I didn’t find it difficult to get an extension. Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to consistently improve my academic performance and expand and intensify my voluntary work. In a way, the scholarship actually made it easier for me to further refine and develop my profile. But of course, I can only speak from my own perspective here.
You’re currently doing an internship abroad at the Goethe-Institut in Santiago de Chile. What are your plans for the future?
I’ll be staying in Chile until June and, alongside my internship, I’ll be travelling around a bit to get to know this wonderful country. After that, I’ll be starting my Master’s degree. The application process is still ongoing.
Date of interview: April 2019