DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance) Recipient Maame Adwoa Kyeremaa Ntow from Ghana Shares Her Experience Pursuing a Master’s in Development and Governance at Universität Duisburg-Essen

My name is Maame Adwoa Kyeremaa Ntow from Ghana. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Development and Governance at Universität Duisburg-Essen in Germany.

DAAD Scholarship Details

I am a recipient of the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Master’s for Public Policy and Good Governance. The scholarship gives me the opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts in Development and Governance at Universität Duisburg-Essen. The scholarship is fully funded and covers living expenses, insurance, and travel expenses.

Educational Background

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Linguistics with Honours from the University of Ghana, Legon. My background in political science contributed significantly to my interest in global governance and development.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Universität Duisburg-Essen?

How Did You Find Information About DAAD Scholarship and Universität Duisburg-Essen?

I found out through the Ghanaian European Centre in Accra.

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

I did not need to take any standardized tests. Ghana is an English-speaking country, so I only had to submit a letter from my university confirming that my bachelor’s was taught in English.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the DAAD Scholarship?

The first thing I did was to check the programme requirements and the course content for my programme of choice. I made sure to select a school with a programme that has modules relevant to my future career aspirations. I then prepared my curriculum vitae in the required format (Europass), and other supporting documents. In my motivation letter, I made sure to relate my past professional experience to my motivation to pursue the programme and clearly explained how my goals aligned with the objective of the scholarship. Seeking advice from past scholarship recipients was also of great help.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

The class is made up entirely of international students, so English is the language of instruction. However, scholarship recipients must take a mandatory German course before the beginning of the first semester, as part of the scholarship requirements.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing German?

No. English is the language of instruction for the programme.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

To be honest, I have no idea. I believe past professional experience and a good academic record contributed to my being selected. My reasons for applying also aligned with the good governance aspect of the scholarship, which translates into my aspirations. I also believe my work experience with a development corporation influenced my being selected.

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

If I were to go through this again, I would start the process early. Starting early allows you enough time to write a good essay and get all your documents, especially the recommendation letters.

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

Start early. The earlier you start, the better, and you will be able to gather the necessary documents on time. It is important to have a clear understanding of the programme you want to apply for as this enables you write a compelling essay. Make sure to highlight all relevant experiences, be it professional or academic. Also, try to get feedback on your motivation letter if possible.