How I Secured a Fully Funded Bachelor's at Hochschule Karlsruhe, Germany Through the DAHZ Scholarship

Hi! I'm Santiago Caputto, from Santa Fe, Argentina.

After working and studying locally for almost 5 years, in September 2023 I decided to take a big leap and embark on an amazing adventure: a double degree program between the Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) in Argentina and the Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA) in Germany.

The challenge combined my Business Administration degree here with an International Management degree over there. The goal in Germany? Two intense years to pass 12 subjects in German, achieve a B2 level in German, and gain real-world experience through mandatory internships at local companies.

It meant stepping completely out of my comfort zone, but it's undoubtedly been one of the best decisions for my personal and professional growth!

DAHZ Scholarship Details

To support my studies during the double degree program established by my home university (UNL), I was honored to receive a grant that made this international experience possible.

Scholarship Name: DAHZ Scholarship (Förderprogramm Deutsch-Argentinisches Hochschulzentrum / Argentine-German University Center Funding Program).

Granting Institutions: The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) in joint partnership with the Argentine Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación de la Nación).

Amount: EUR 934. (per month, 12 months)

Educational Background

Here is a breakdown of my academic background:

Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Argentina. Degree: Licenciatura en Administración (Business Administration). GPA: 7.7 / 10.0

Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA), Germany. Degree: B.Sc. in International Management (Double Degree Program). GPA: 2.3 / 5.0

How this prepared me for my field: My foundational studies in Business Administration at UNL were rigorous and highly versatile. Learning business in Argentina, a complex and dynamic economic landscape, sharpened my adaptability and problem-solving skills. During this time, I also worked locally for nearly 5 years, which allowed me to immediately apply theories of finance, management, and strategy to real-world scenarios.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Hochschule Karlsruhe?

I took the IELTS General in March 2023 and achieved an overall band score of 7.0. For German, I took intensive language classes alongside my regular university studies and work in Argentina. While the ultimate goal of the program was to reach a B2, I actually traveled to Germany with a solid B1 level. To prepare, I immersed myself in German media, podcasts, and practiced speaking as much as possible to ensure I could handle day-to-day life upon arrival.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAHZ Scholarship?

Since my program was a formalized double degree agreement between my home university in Argentina (Universidad Nacional del Litoral - UNL) and the Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA) in Germany, my preparation was heavily guided by UNL’s international relations office. I focused on maintaining a strong GPA, completing the necessary foundational business courses, and dedicating a massive amount of time to language classes to get my IELTS to 7.0 and my German up to a B1 level before the flight.

How is Your Experience at Hochschule Karlsruhe?

It was an incredibly enriching experience where I grew in every single aspect, professionally, academically, and personally, but I won't lie: it was also hugely challenging and, at times, quite a culture shock. Dealing with the famous German bureaucracy and adjusting to new norms was intense. While there is never a lack of information or clear protocols to follow (Germany is very organized!), the interpersonal differences compared to Argentina are vast. The way people relate to each other is completely different. It was tough at times, but navigating those differences accelerated my personal growth in ways I couldn't have imagined.

How Does Hochschule Karlsruhe Support International Students?

HKA is very welcoming. They have a great International Office that provides a lot of support with the heavy bureaucracy and organizes plenty of events for international students. However, my main goal from day one was to truly integrate into the German culture rather than just staying inside the "international student bubble." It was definitely difficult at first due to the cultural and language barriers, but as time passed and my German improved, I was able to break the ice. I ended up making great local friendships that I value deeply today!

Is the Institution That You Are Studying at Free for the B.Sc. in International Management? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

Public higher education in the state of Baden-Württemberg generally charges tuition fees for non-EU international students, but because I was part of an official double degree partnership between UNL and HKA, I was exempt from paying tuition.

I only had to cover the standard administrative semester fee, which was a minimal contribution of around €150 per semester.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

It was a mix, but heavily leaning towards German! Out of the 12 subjects I had to pass for the double degree, actually only 2 were taught in English.

Because of this, my German was really put to the test. Even though I arrived with a B1 level, it lacked a lot of real-world, native exposure. Sitting in university lectures or trying to keep up with native speakers talking at their normal speed was logically on a whole other level. It was incredibly intense at the beginning!

A huge part of my experience came down to a personal choice: even though almost everyone in Germany speaks excellent English (and it is very tempting to just fall back on it when things get hard!), I always made a conscious effort to push myself and speak German. It made the learning curve much steeper, but forcing myself to use the local language in classes, daily life, and during my corporate internships was exactly what allowed me to truly adapt and integrate.

What Did You Pursue After the DAHZ Scholarship?

After wrapping up this incredible opportunity and completing my double degree, I recently relocated to Buenos Aires, Argentina. My main goal right now is to keep that international momentum going! I am focusing my career on roles within global contexts where I can fully leverage all the cross-cultural management, adaptability, and language skills I developed during my time in Germany.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

The better your German, the better your overall experience will be.

Not knowing the language keeps you trapped in the "international student bubble" and makes group projects, networking, and daily life so much harder. Putting in the effort to push through the language barrier, even when it's exhausting, is exactly what unlocks the full academic, professional, and cultural adventure!

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

If I had to do it all over again, alongside putting more time into my German, I would have put a lot more effort into making connections before arriving in Germany.

Because the cultural shock and the interpersonal differences were so intense, landing there completely from scratch was tough. I would highly recommend reaching out to alumni who went through the same double degree, connecting with local HKA students through social media or university forums, and even starting to network on LinkedIn with professionals in Karlsruhe for the mandatory internships ahead of time.

Having even just a couple of familiar contacts, mentors, or future classmates to ask basic questions to before stepping off the plane would have made that massive initial transition so much smoother!