How a Filipino Scholar Won the Fully Funded DAAD Scholarship to Study an MSc in Gender and Development Studies at AIT Thailand

Hello, my name is Joum Laurio Malonosan, a Filipino trans woman academic and a recipient of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) In-Country/ In-Region scholarship program. I’m currently taking a master’s degree (MSc) in Gender and Development Studies (GDS) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. The GDS program of AIT aims to produce scholars, analysts, and planners who are guided by gender equality as a key perspective in forwarding sustainable development in the region and globally. I decided to pursue further education in this field to contribute to the emerging scholarship in gender studies, particularly concerning trans women in the Global South.

DAAD Scholarship Details

The DAAD Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship funded by the German government. The scholarship program covers 100% of my tuition fees, living allowance (500 euros monthly), travel allowance (back and forth, 300 euros), research allowance (annually for two years, 460 euros), and a printing allowance (once, 400 euros). The scholarship stipend is enough to meet your daily basic needs since AIT is located outside Bangkok, where the living costs are relatively lower.

Educational Background

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines (UP), the premier state university of the country. I had a general weighted average (GWA) of 1.51/5.00 (1.00 being the highest and 5.00 being the lowest). I was the valedictorian of my degree program.

My program in political science is research-oriented and allows students to explore a myriad of topics under public policy, political theory, international relations, and political behavior & dynamics. It equipped me with critical thinking and research skills that were necessary for a career in research and the academe. In my case, I was interested in research concerning gender and politics. This allowed me to pursue my undergraduate thesis that tackled queerness and public policy in disaster risk reduction management. This was immensely helpful in building a background that aligned with gender studies for graduate school.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

One critical factor that determined my application choices was the English test requirement. I only applied to institutions that did not require English tests due to personal financial constraints. Thus, I was only able to apply to Erasmus-Mundus, which only required a certificate of English as a medium, and to AIT-DAAD, which provided a cheaper in-house language test.

Aside from this, I ensured that I was able to comply with the requirements within a reasonable timeframe. This allowed me to carefully craft important requirements, such as the motivation letter and curriculum vitae, that showcased my background and desire to be a part of the program.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship?

The selection process for the programs that I applied for wasn’t entirely separate from the scholarships. I didn’t have to do much aside from ensuring that my application aligned with both the goals of the institution and the scholarship provider. For the case of DAAD in AIT, I just had to resubmit the application documents that I sent to the institution and make some minor revisions for the scholarship provider.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

 I think what made my application stand out was how I tailored my background, motivation, and goals to be deeply personal but at the same time relevant to the vision of the institution and the scholarship program. Because I was applying for a master’s in gender studies, I made sure to create a personal narrative that showcased my identity, passion for gender equality, and my potential contribution to the field of gender studies.

In gender studies, we always encounter the famous feminist quote that goes “the personal is political.” I used this quote as a guiding principle in designing my application. I highlighted my personal struggles as a gender minority and how my experience of them reflects broader structural inequalities in society. I made sure to highlight how my personal motivations are intertwined with the broader political goal of women’s liberation in gender and feminist studies. These important aspects of my application demonstrated my eligibility to the program and my commitment to gender and development.

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

I wouldn’t have done anything differently if I were given the chance to go through the process again. I believe that every mistake, right decision, and moment of uncertainty was essential in guiding me to where I am now—here in Thailand, studying gender, and transitioning to affirm my womanhood.

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

For those who are seeking to apply for a similar scholarship, my advice would be to become creative. One problem that threatened the strength of my application was my lack of professional experience and community engagement in gender and development. All my cohorts in the scholarship program had extensive experience in the field. I was the only one who was fresh from college and had no practical experience. Hence, I made sure to highlight my academic excellence at also be creative by blending my personal lore in my application. Creativity will allow you to stand out from others even if you do not necessarily fit the mold of an ideal candidate.