How an Indonesian Management Graduate Won the Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship to Study Sustainable Development in Germany

Hi! My name is Dhisa, and I’m from Indonesia, currently in the 4^th semester of my Master’s study in Sustainable Development Management at Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Germany. I decided to pursue my education in this field because I realized that I am really into development studies and would like to contribute to improving the quality of life for societies.

DAAD Scholarship Details

I received a scholarship from DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), or in English, German Academic Exchange Services. My programme is called EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses), where students from developing countries have the opportunity to study development-related courses in the selected universities in Germany. This scholarship is fully funded, so it's worth trying!

Before receiving the DAAD scholarship, I also got a scholarship from the Ca Foscari University of Venice Scholarship, offered by Ca Foscari University of Venice, in Italy. This scholarship is to study a Master’s in Global Development & Entrepreneurship and International Management Programmes and only covers the tuition fee.

Educational Background

I studied Management with a focus on Entrepreneurship at Universitas Sumatra Utara in Medan, Indonesia, for my Bachelor's. My GPA was 3.62, and it helped me to apply for this scholarship since the university I chose requires a specific GPA. My background as a Management Student and an Auditor (I worked as an auditor for 4 years) also helped me to fulfil the scholarship requirements since it is aligned with the programme I applied for. DAAD also requires its applicants to have at least 2 years of work experience when applying for this scholarship.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Hochschule Rhein-Waal?

I always checked my programme requirements on the university website, and also, if needed, I would send an email to the contact in charge for prospective students if I had further questions. I made sure that I provided all the documents needed.

DAAD and my programme require a TOEFL score, so what I did was take online courses before the application closed. I had to prepare when I took the course, took the official test, the re-test (if I failed), and of course, the finances. I always tried to improve my English skills every day by self-learning from YouTube, books, and other platforms like websites whenever I had a chance. Sometimes I also tried to talk in English with my friends to build my confidence.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship?

I listed all the possible scholarships I could apply for and sorted out their requirements. I paid attention to the deadlines and submitted my application early, especially when some scholarships only accept printed documents. Since my target was to study abroad, I translated all my documents into English and tried to get my English certificate with the desired score. I also prepared my motivation later, which took me months to finish!

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I would say my motivation letter! A motivation letter is the presentation of myself. I have to impress the reader through the background, dreams, and goals, as well as my short-term and long-term plans in one letter, which is usually not more than 2 pages long! This letter will decide whether I get rejected or get an interview invitation.

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

I was so passionate about studying abroad, therefore, I tried for all scholarships. It took me 2 years to get the scholarship I have now. If I could go back, I would select carefully which scholarship I really want to apply for according to the programme, the country of destination, and the benefits. Thus, I would have more time to prepare myself and focus on what I am aiming for.

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

It will all be worth it! I know you might be feeling tired, disappointed, unsure, or even want to quit when everything feels impossible. You’re just one step closer to your goals! It is okay to take a rest, but your dreams are worth fighting for. Try your best by preparing early and taking every opportunity that might come your way. I would also suggest connecting with scholarship hunter buddies, where you can exchange information and experiences. Remember that you’re not alone and you’ve got this!