DAAD Scholarship Scholar Aklilu Wodebo Wola from Ethiopia Shares Their Journey of Securing a Fully Funded PhD at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

My name is Aklilu Wodebo Wola, and I am from Ethiopia. I am currently a PhD student at the Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. My research focuses on community ecology, biodiversity conservation, and climate change, including functional, and phylogenetic diversity of plants. I decided to pursue this field because I am passionate about how ecosystem restoration and forests can support climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sustainability.

DAAD Scholarship Details

I received a fully funded DAAD scholarship for my PhD studies at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. The scholarship covers my monthly stipend, health insurance, research allowance, and family benefits throughout my PhD program.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I previously pursued my MSc with a DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship from 2017 to 2020 at Hawassa University, Ethiopia. The scholarship supported my MSc studies by covering tuition and a monthly stipend.

Educational Background

I completed my BSc and MSc in Forestry in Ethiopia. During my MSc studies, I also stayed at Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, for a six-month research stay, which improved my research experience and international academic exposure.

How Did You Find Information About the DAAD Scholarship and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg?

I mainly used the DAAD website, university webpages, and academic networks to find suitable scholarships and programs.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

No, I did not take any standardized tests.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship?

I was rejected twice before receiving my DAAD PhD scholarship. I learned from those experiences by improving my CV, strengthening my research proposal, and participating in different trainings to improve my skills in data analysis, E.g. R, Python, GIS, and academic writing.

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

Yes, there is no tuition fee for the program I am currently studying. However, students pay a semester contribution fee (less than 300 Euro per semester), which includes benefits such as discounted meals and public transportation access.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

English

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my strong research proposal, academic background, and following the DAAD scholarship procedures/guidelines carefully helped my application stand out.

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

I would prepare earlier and look for a PhD supervisor whose research is more closely related to my topic.

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

Continuously improve your skills and CV, and do not give up, even after rejection.