DAAD Master Studies Scholarship Scholar Ella Stewart from the United States Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Freiburg, Germany

My name is Ella Stewart, and I'm from Minnesota, in the United States. I completed my B.A. across three majors at the University of Minnesota Duluth, graduating in two years with a 3.9 GPA. After two years working in municipal climate action planning, energy efficiency, and community engagement, I moved to Germany to pursue the M.Sc. Environmental Governance at the University of Freiburg on a fully funded DAAD scholarship.

DAAD Master Studies Scholarship Details

I received the DAAD Master Studies Scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service, which fully funds two years of my M.Sc. Environmental Governance at the University of Freiburg. The scholarship covers a monthly stipend and additional allowances for the duration of the program.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I was also awarded the Fulbright Study Grant through Fulbright Germany, which would have covered 10 months of study in Germany. I was initially waitlisted and then heard back from Fulbright at a point when I had already accepted the DAAD scholarship, making it an extremely difficult choice. I ultimately declined Fulbright in favour of the DAAD, which covered the full two-year length of my program.

Educational Background

In high school, I completed an Associate of Arts at a small community college with a 3.9 GPA before transferring to the University of Minnesota Duluth, where I triple majored in Political Science, Environmental Sustainability & Geography, and International Studies. I graduated in May 2023 in two years, cum laude, in the top 7% of my class with a 3.9 GPA. In my final year at UMD, I participated in a study abroad in Münster, Germany, focused on clean energy transition. I presented research to state legislators, energy professionals, and political leaders, which introduced me to Germany's approach to climate policy and sparked my interest in studying there.

How Did You Find Information About the DAAD Master Studies Scholarship and the University of Freiburg?

I focused on finding a program that genuinely matched what I wanted to study rather than applying broadly. The M.Sc. Environmental Governance stood out for its interdisciplinary structure, international cohort, and required professional internship. I connected with current students and alumni before applying to confirm it was the right fit, and I spoke with a mentor who had studied in Freiburg. I went in with a clear sense of why this program and not another. Since the University of Freiburg was my top choice, I did not spend as much time researching other schools.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Master Studies Scholarship?

For both applications, I worked with my university's Fulbright advisor and the writing center. The DAAD application required a motivation letter, a study proposal, letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts. My main focus was making sure the application told a coherent, honest story with my past experiences, my reasons for choosing Freiburg, and how my future goals were clearly connected. I spent significant time on my motivation letter, writing honestly about my background and I chose recommenders who knew me personally, not just my academic record. I also had mentors review my materials before submitting. I gave myself at least 6 months of researching the schools and developing the applications

Is the Institution That You Are Studying at Free for Environmental Governance? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

The tuition fee in the state of Baden-Württemberg is € 1,600 per semester, plus additional fees. This is not covered by the scholarship.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

The M.Sc. in Environmental Governance program prioritises international students and is conducted entirely in English.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

All coursework and academic interaction are in English, so not knowing German is not a barrier to academic success. That said, it would have been nicer to have started learning the language and taking classes before arriving.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My application had a clear thread running through it, a genuine arc from growing up with certain values, to building hands-on experience, to pursuing this specific program in this specific city for specific reasons I could articulate. I was able to point to concrete outcomes in my professional work connected to my passions and experiences. I was also very specific about Freiburg, the city itself, the professors I wanted to work with, and the students I had spoken to. My application was very targeted and personal; I was direct about my identity and personal circumstances.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Rather than focusing on the prestige of the scholarship, focus on the tangible benefits. I spent so much time agonising over choosing the DAAD over Fulbright, but if I had chosen Fulbright, my situation now would be so much more difficult, since it only covered 10 months, and my program is two years.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Apply to more than one scholarship. I cannot stress this enough. Both DAAD and Fulbright are competitive but reachable for well-prepared candidates, and having both offers gave me real flexibility. Work with your university's Fulbright or scholarship advisor if one is available. Give yourself at least six months to research programs and develop your materials. And be specific and thorough; a targeted, personal application will always stand out more.