How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at TU Darmstadt, Germany Through the EPOS DAAD Scholarship

My name is Daniela Chiquito, I'm a 28-year-old Ecuadorian environmental engineer, and I recently finished my Master's degree at TU Darmstadt in Tropical Hydrogeology and Environmental Engineering.

After finishing my bachelor's degree, I spent a few years working in Ecuador across different fields of environmental engineering, consultancy, sustainability, academia, agriculture,

and more. Every time I moved into a new area, I realized there was an entire world within it that I hadn't known much about, but that I found genuinely fascinating. That pattern eventually led me to start looking for master's programs in these fields, and I found options all over the world; practically every country had its own take on a degree that connected, in some way, to Ecuador's environmental challenges. So I applied broadly.

I was accepted into five programs across Italy, France, and Germany, but I chose Germany for two main reasons. First, I loved the program itself. I knew relatively little about hydrology, and even less about geology, but I understood that water is going to be one of humanity's defining issues in the coming years, and I wanted to be part of addressing that. Second, the scholarship was simply impossible to turn down.

EPOS DAAD Scholarship Details

The scholarship was the EPOS DAAD Scholarship, and it truly made the decision easy. One interesting detail about the application process is that DAAD's EPOS program allows you to select up to three priority programs from their list of eligible degrees, so while TU Darmstadt was my first choice, I could have just as easily ended up at the University of Cologne, which was one of my other options.

EPOS is specifically geared toward students from developing countries, but DAAD offers a wide range of specialized scholarships beyond this one, including programs like STEM4Women, aimed at supporting women in engineering fields. In my case, the EPOS scholarship covered the entire two-year length of the master's program, including visa fees and the application process from my home country, flight tickets, a research funding opportunity to conduct part of my thesis work in Ecuador, medical insurance, a monthly stipend, and a two-month German language course before the program started. The monthly stipend alone was €24,000. I'm honestly not sure what the total value came out to once everything else was added, but it was substantial. DAAD scholarships like this one genuinely take care of the details so you can focus on pursuing your degree.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes. I was offered a tuition fee waiver through the PBPE program at IMT Atlantique in France, and I was also a finalist for the Galilean School of Higher Education, the school of excellence at the University of Padua. That scholarship would have included free room and board at the university's residences and canteens, reimbursement for documented expenses (books, study trips, etc.), a €2,500 scholarship, and a round-trip flight (up to €1,500 for each academic year)

Educational Background

I completed my degree in Environmental Engineering at USFQ in Ecuador with a GPA of 3.42/4.0 (US scale). I believe what helped me stand out in the application process was the combination of my GPA, my previous work experience, and a four-month internship I completed in Germany during my studies. Many of the applications also asked about potential thesis topics, and since I had a strong interest in issues specific to Ecuador, I was able to speak to that clearly. Having a published paper and some academic experience beforehand also strengthened my profile.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to TU Darmstadt?

I took the TOEFL since I knew the program would be taught in English and that I needed a solid score. I prepared using a free practice app.

How Did You Find Information About the EPOS DAAD Scholarship and TU Darmstadt?

Mostly through online research, I searched based on the countries I was interested in and the degree programs that matched what I was looking for. It was largely a matter of persistent Googling.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the EPOS DAAD Scholarship?

Honestly, it doesn't require as much preparation as people expect. The key things are having an English proficiency exam like the TOEFL (or an equivalent), having your academic transcripts ready, translated into English if possible, and simply applying. Don't let the fear of rejection hold you back.

How is Your Experience at TU Darmstadt?

My graduation ceremony is actually this Friday, and I love this question because I'll get to answer it out loud that same day! Overall, it's been one of the best decisions I've made in my adult life. It shaped me not only as a professional but as a better person.

How Do You Rate TU Darmstadt Academically?

I'd rate it 9/10. There's not much to complain about, though there's always room for improvement.

How Does TU Darmstadt Support International Students?

Very well. They offered courses on how to engage respectfully with people from different nationalities and cultures, and the language course before the program helped a lot with adjusting culturally. There's also a buddy program, and support staff is available for questions on visa status and other practical matters.

Is the Institution Free for Hydrogeology and Environmental Engineering? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

Semester fees were around €400, which included a public transportation pass, incredibly affordable.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

Classes were in English, though elective courses were available in German, and language courses were offered in nearly every language.

What Did You Pursue After the EPOS DAAD Scholarship?

I'm still figuring that out. I'd love the stability of a full-time job, but I also love research and science, so I'm weighing both paths.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

Not academically, classes and coursework are manageable in English. But living in Germany without speaking German is genuinely challenging on a day-to-day level, and I want to be honest about that.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think it was my genuine passion for the field.

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

I would have started the application process earlier; I barely made the deadline the first time around.

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

Don't be afraid of rejection, and don't give up. It will come, sooner or later, and you won't regret it.