Why did you apply for the Deutschlandstipendium?

My previous scholarship financing for the bachelor’s program expired due to my parental leave. I learned about the Deutschlandstipendium from the examinations office and applied right away. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me – it doesn’t cover my full cost of living, but it does give me some breathing room so that I can put my time outside the university to better use. I don’t have to rush off to work; instead, I can study in peace and quiet or spend time with my small family.

Why is the support provided by this scholarship more appealing to you than support from a different institution?

The application process and further coordination take place right on campus at Freie Universität. The scholarship is also easy to combine with BAföG student aid, which is a plus for me. Another thing that is especially appealing to me is that this program is connected with “real” faces. That’s new – and it’s very exciting to see what kinds of contacts arise as a result.

Aside from financial support, what do you hope the scholarship will bring you?

At the start, I didn’t have any specific expectations. I was just thrilled to be chosen for the scholarship. Now, after nine months, I have been very surprised in a positive sense: There is a very pleasant network developing among those of us who have received the scholarship, with spontaneous informal meetings and uncomplicated help with various things on the spur of the moment.

Another thing that has been a real surprise for me, and something I would never have imagined could be so productive, is the mentoring program. It is different from all the other mentoring programs I have gotten to know in the past. It’s not just that we are paired up with someone who is already in the middle of their life or career. We mentees – and mentors as well – receive professional coaching during workshops. This gives the program a professional framework, which leads to positive results.

Going forward, I hope we scholarship recipients will manage to further expand and develop these informal ties. I look forward to the activities that are planned, including company tours and seminars. I am hoping that they will give me insight into other disciplines and give me a chance to see new things, perhaps even allowing me to rethink some things in my own field, education.