How a Nigerian Economist Won the Fully Funded DAAD EPOS Scholarship to Study at the University of Göttingen

I am Omobolanle Adegbola, a native of Oyo State in western Nigeria. I earned both my first and second degrees in Economics from Tai Solarin University of Education, where I graduated top 1% of my class with a first-class degree (4.50/5.0) and distinction, respectively.

During my undergraduate studies, my exposure to a wide range of economic theories and concepts influenced my drive to explore how these concepts can be meaningfully applied to diverse real-world challenges. This laid the foundation for my pursuit of advanced studies to contribute to economic analysis and policy development.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Göttingen?

The first step was to identify my research interest in the economics field. Secondly, I spread my tentacles across Europe, the United Kingdom, and the USA, then streamlined the institutions that were offering courses and doing research in the field.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD-EPOS Scholarship?

Document preparation tops the list here! In my case, an international passport, a transcript of results, a motivation letter, and a letter of recommendation. I dedicated a lot of time to writing my motivation letter, I would revise it at every opportunity to enhance my story. In order to craft a unique motivation letter, I gleaned from my teaching and research experience, practical involvement in community activities geared towards people empowerment and economic development.

In addition, I was careful to adhere to all instructions given because different scholarships have their own mode of application and specific instructions. I kept to scheduled deadlines and provided all the information needed (including the optional sections) to improve my chances of selection.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I reflected on my previous work experience and emphasized the skills and capabilities I have gained, particularly because work experience was one of the scholarship requirements, and I followed all instructions adequately. Overall, the application process was simplified. I believe this was a major factor that made the application process hitch-free.

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

If I were to go through this process again, I would give myself ample time to adequately synthesize my experiences, including the little tiny details that I thought didn’t matter. I would also actively engage scholars and past awardees on what to look out for to enhance the uniqueness of my application.

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

My advice would be “whatever you have set your mind to achieve can be achieved with determination and doggedness”. Seek information, pursue individuals who have done it in the past and have evidence; they can guide you properly.

Also, start early, invest time in researching the institution, faculty, and country. The internet is your friend; look up videos and garner insights where necessary. Most importantly, your experiences matter, and that may be what will distinguish you from the rest, so emphasize them with confidence.