How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Ludwigsburg University of Education, Germany Through the DAAD Scholarship

If someone had told me during my bachelor's degree that I would one day earn a fully funded scholarship to study International Education Management, I probably wouldn't have believed them.

My name is Dima Nustas, and I was born and raised in Jordan. My academic journey did not begin in education; it began in accounting. Like many students, I chose a degree that seemed practical and would lead to stable employment. Throughout school and university, however, I never truly enjoyed learning. I often felt that the education system focused on memorization rather than preparing us for life, work, or critical thinking.

For years, I believed I simply wasn't passionate about education.

I was wrong.

Everything changed when I joined the British Council in Jordan as a Project Officer for the Connecting Classrooms programme. The programme connected schools across different countries and encouraged teachers and students to develop global competencies, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

For the first time, I saw education being approached differently. I realized that I didn't dislike education; I disliked the way I had experienced it.

That realization changed the direction of my career.

From that moment on, I decided that I wanted to contribute to improving education in Jordan and beyond. Since my bachelor's degree was in accounting, I knew I needed to intentionally build a new professional path. I couldn't change my undergraduate degree, but I could shape everything that came after it.

Instead of immediately pursuing a master's degree, I focused on gaining meaningful experience. Looking back, this was one of the best decisions I made.

I continued working in education, but I also challenged myself to experience different contexts. After my time at the British Council, I joined an Italian NGO working to improve access to education for refugee children in Karak, Jordan. This experience showed me a completely different side of education and deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by children in humanitarian settings.

Later, I joined an Erasmus+ volunteering programme in Razlog, Bulgaria, where I spent six months working with young people and local communities through non-formal education. Living abroad, collaborating with people from different cultures, and learning outside a traditional classroom expanded my perspective in ways I had never expected.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned during those years was that no single job will teach you everything you need to know. Every role, every volunteer opportunity, and every new environment helped me develop different skills and added another piece to my professional journey.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship?

Throughout this time, I was also pursuing another goal: earning a scholarship to study education.

Coming from a middle-income family, self-funding an international master's degree was simply not an option. A scholarship wasn't just preferable; it was essential.

I applied for scholarships for more than five years.

Like many applicants, I faced rejection.

At the time, every rejection felt disappointing. Today, I see them differently. Each application forced me to improve. I rewrote my motivation letter, strengthened my CV, gained more practical experience, and became clearer about my long-term vision. I wasn't simply submitting the same application repeatedly; I was becoming a stronger candidate with every attempt.

DAAD Scholarship Details

Eventually, in 2021, I received the email I had been hoping for: I had been awarded a DAAD Scholarship to study the International Education Management (INEMA) master's programme, jointly offered by Ludwigsburg University of Education in Germany and Helwan University in Egypt.

The programme was exactly what I had been looking for. Its blended-learning format allowed me to continue working while studying, and its focus on education leadership, policy, management, and international cooperation aligned perfectly with the impact I wanted to make throughout my career.

The DAAD scholarship covered the tuition fees for the programme and reimbursed the costs associated with each study phase in Germany and Egypt, including travel and accommodation according to DAAD regulations. Without this support, pursuing the degree would have been financially impossible.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

People often ask what made my application successful.

Looking back, I don't think it was one outstanding achievement. I believe it was the consistency of my story.

Although my bachelor's degree was in accounting, every decision I made afterwards pointed in the same direction. My work experience, volunteer projects, international exposure, professional development, and career goals all reflected a genuine commitment to improving education.

Rather than trying to become the "perfect applicant," I focused on becoming someone who was already living the values that the scholarship aimed to support.

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

If I were applying again, I would probably start preparing even earlier and seek feedback on my application documents from more mentors and scholarship alumni. Sometimes a fresh perspective can help you communicate your experiences more effectively.

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

Don't spend all your energy trying to write the perfect application. Instead, invest your energy in building a meaningful journey.

Volunteer. Explore different professional environments. Learn new skills. Take on responsibilities that challenge you. Don't be afraid to change direction if you discover a stronger sense of purpose. Every experience becomes part of the story you will eventually tell.

Most importantly, don't let rejection convince you that your dream isn't possible. My scholarship application was the result of more than five years of preparation, learning, setbacks, and growth. The acceptance letter was simply the final chapter, not the whole story.

Today, I continue working in the education sector with the same mission that inspired me years ago: helping create learning experiences that prepare children not only to succeed academically, but also to thrive in life. Looking back, I realize that earning the DAAD scholarship was never the destination. It was one important milestone on a much longer journey toward creating meaningful change in education.