DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme Scholar Nicolle Olsen Rojas from Colombia Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at Osnabrück University, Germany

Hello, my name is Nicolle Olsen Rojas, and I am originally from Colombia. I studied Political Science because I have always been interested in understanding society, power, justice, and how real change can happen. I sometimes joke that I chose Political Science because I loved the idea of talking and passing exams by doing so and not maths, but in reality, my motivation was much deeper.

I wanted to contribute to change, become involved in activism, and be part of solutions to the many inequalities and challenges we see in the world. During my Bachelor’s degree at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, one of Colombia’s most recognized universities, I tried to make the most of every opportunity available to me. I focused on maintaining strong grades, but I also became involved in volunteering, workshops, student initiatives, and international exchange opportunities.

Even though I was a full-time student, I was very intentional about broadening my knowledge and experience beyond the classroom. I believe this combination of academic commitment, curiosity, and active involvement helped shape my path toward applying for an international scholarship

DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme Scholarship Details

I received the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme scholarship, which supports students from developing countries who are interested in public policy, governance, and social development.

The scholarship funded a six-month German language course in Germany, followed by a two-year Master’s degree. At the time I received the scholarship in 2019, the monthly stipend was around 850 euros. In addition to this, the scholarship covered important costs such as travel tickets, health insurance, and other support related to studying and living in Germany.

For me, this scholarship was not only financial support. It was also a door to an international academic experience and a chance to continue developing my skills in a field connected to democracy, civil society, and social change.

Educational Background

Before receiving the scholarship, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. I had very good grades, which played an important role in my application. I also had several certificates from workshops, exchange experiences, volunteering activities, and university initiatives.

I believe my application was strong because it showed both academic performance and active engagement. I did not have many years of professional experience at that time, and the programme usually required either professional experience or very strong academic achievements. In my case, my grades and extracurricular involvement helped show that I was committed, disciplined, and capable of completing what I started.

Later, I understood that scholarship programmes are not only looking for talented people. They are also looking for applicants who are likely to succeed, finish the programme on time, and use the opportunity well. I think my academic record, combined with my involvement in different initiatives, helped demonstrate that I was someone who could take full advantage of the scholarship.

Another important point was documentation. German institutions can be very detail-oriented and bureaucratic, so I made sure that all my documents were complete, translated, certified, and organized exactly as requested. This is extremely important. I later heard that some very strong applicants were disqualified simply because one document was missing or not correctly translated. So, my advice is: do not underestimate the administrative part of the application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme Scholarship?

I prepared by reading a lot about the universities, the programme, and the specific goals of the scholarship. I wanted to make sure that my motivation letter was not generic. I connected my personal and professional goals with what the programme offered.

The Helmut Schmidt Programme focuses on people who want to contribute to the development of their countries through public policy, governance, and social change. Because of that, I reflected deeply on what Germany and this specific Master’s programme could teach me as a Colombian student interested in creating positive change.

I tried to explain clearly why this opportunity mattered, how it connected to my background, and how I hoped to use the knowledge in the future. Even though life sometimes takes different directions, and I did not immediately return to Colombia after my studies, my application at that time was built around a sincere desire to learn, grow, and contribute to social transformation.

Is the Institution That You Are Studying at Free for? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

In Germany, public education is much more affordable than in many other countries, but that does not mean it is completely free. If I had not received the scholarship, I would still have had to pay semester fees, which were around 350 euros per semester.

That amount is reasonable compared to tuition fees in many countries. However, the real challenge is the cost of living. You still need to pay for rent, food, health insurance, transportation, and other daily expenses. Without the scholarship, studying in Germany would have been very difficult for me financially.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I had very good grades. This showed academic discipline and consistency.

Second, I had strong recommendation letters. I made sure that the people writing my references understood the scholarship and could speak not only about the student I was, but also about the person I could become with the support of this opportunity.

I think this is very important. A good recommendation letter should not only say that you are a good student. It should also show your potential, your values, your commitment, and why investing in your education makes sense.

Finally, I believe my application showed that I was proactive. I had participated in different initiatives, workshops, volunteering experiences, and academic opportunities. This helped show that I was not only interested in studying, but also in engaging with society and creating impact.

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

If I were going through the process again, I would apply to more opportunities, especially English-speaking programmes.

At the time, I put almost all my energy into one scholarship and one path. Since the application required translated and certified documents, I invested in translating my documents into German. That worked for this specific opportunity, but it also limited me. If I had translated and certified my documents in English instead, I could have used them to apply to many more scholarships and universities, including opportunities in other countries and even English-speaking programmes within Germany.

So, my advice is to think strategically. There are many opportunities out there, but applications often require time, money, and certified documents. If possible, prepare your documents in a language that gives you access to more options. Sometimes the difference between being considered and being rejected is not your talent, but whether your application is complete

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

My first advice is: search actively. There are many scholarships and opportunities, but you need to invest time in finding them and understanding what each programme is looking for.

Second, do not send a generic application. Read carefully about the scholarship, the university, and the values of the programme. Then connect your story to those goals. Explain clearly why you are a good fit and why this scholarship matters for your personal and professional development.

Third, show that you are proactive. Get involved in initiatives, whether they are social, academic, cultural, sports-related, or community-based. These experiences show that you are the kind of person who will contribute to the university and make use of the opportunity.

Fourth, if you are applying to Germany, show genuine interest in the culture and language. In my case, I had already taken some German classes before applying, and I believe that helped. It showed that I was serious about the country and willing to prepare for the experience

Finally, do not let rejection define your potential. Before receiving the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme scholarship, I had once applied for another scholarship for an exchange semester and was not selected. That was very hard for me because they only chose the three best applicants. After discussing it with my parents, we decided that I would still go abroad using our own funds. Then, just one week before the trip was supposed to start, the university called me and told me that the third selected person had cancelled her place. I was fourth on the list.

That experience taught me something very important: sometimes we do not even know how close we are. We may receive a rejection and believe we were not good enough, when in reality we were just one place away. Since then, I always apply, because you never know what can happen. A rejection is not always a reflection of your value, your talent, or your future chances