Testimonial DAAD Study Scholarship

The DAAD Scholarship for Master’s Studies for All Academic Disciplines gave me the opportunity not only to study in Germany, but to be in Germany. When I moved to Mannheim, I learned the verb sich einleben. I love that it describes more than getting used to a new place. It is about making that place your home.

The DAAD scholarship gave me the time and the financial security to focus on my studies, while building a life alongside them. Living here has changed how I think, how I approach problems and how I relate to people and the places I call home. Even if I returned to Ireland, I would take Germany with me.

One of the most rewarding parts of this experience has been finding a community of people who share a connection to Germany. Some have made their lives here; others maintain that connection from abroad. Many share an interest in bringing Germany closer to their own countries, and their own countries closer to Germany. I believe international relations depend on individuals who are willing to invest in these connections, and I see it as part of my role as an alumna to maintain them, through my work and in everyday life.

I am immensely proud to have been selected as a DAAD scholarship holder, and prouder still to be an alumna. I encourage others to experience sich einleben for themselves and discover what their time in Germany comes to mean to them.

Find out more about the application and selection process for the DAAD Master’s Study Scholarship here: Scholarship Database – DAAD Branch Office in London.