Full DAAD Scholarship Scholar Thanh Phuoc Ho from Vietnam Shares Their Journey of Securing a Fully Funded PhD at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich), Germany

My name is Thanh Phuoc Ho. I am from Vietnam, and I am currently based in Germany as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) in the field of Human-Environment Relations. With a background in environmental and resources management, I am passionate about conducting in-depth research on the interactions between humans and the environment in the context of global climate change.

Full DAAD Scholarship under “Research Grants Details

I am currently pursuing my doctoral research with full financial support through the Full DAAD Scholarship under the program “Research Grants - Doctoral Programmes in Germany” from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The scholarship covers living expenses and additional support costs, including health insurance, housing assistance, language course fees, and so on. In addition, I also receive a part-time salary through my work contract as a research assistant for projects at LMU Munich.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I am honored to share the achievements I have accomplished throughout my academic journey with the support of dedicated Professors and prestigious educational institutions:

• Full scholarship for the Summer Academy held at Ostfalia Campus, Germany, funded by DAAD in September 2019.
• Full scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree from the Graduate Scholarship Program for ASEAN and Non-ASEAN Countries at Chulalongkorn University in August 2020.

In addition to the DAAD scholarship, I was also fortunate to receive two other scholarships for PhD that I ultimately had to decline due to personal reasons:

+ The Massey Doctoral Scholarships from Massey University in New Zealand.

+ Stipend Scholarship for PhD programs at RMIT University Vietnam.

Educational Background

I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Resources and Environment Management from Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City - University of Technology, Vietnam, with a Very Good classification and a GPA of 8.02/10. After that, I continued my Master’s program at the Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, where I achieved a GPA of 4.0/4.0. All the knowledge I gained about environmental and human-related studies, along with theoretical foundations and research methodologies, helped me shape the structure and development of my research proposal in preparation for my doctoral program.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)?

How Did You Find Information About the Full DAAD Scholarship under “Research Grants and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)?

DAAD is a very prestigious scholarship program funded by the German government. I learned about this program when I was still pursuing my Bachelor’s degree.

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

I needed to prepare the required certificates, including IELTS, as well as certifications for courses related to my field of study.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Full DAAD Scholarship under “Research Grants?

To prepare my application for this program, I first had to research and contact potential professors. After that, I went through three different interview rounds before receiving acceptance from a supervisor. Then, I collaborated with the professor to complete the best possible research proposal for the scholarship application. This process took approximately one year before I had a complete application package ready for submission.

Is Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Free for Human-Environment Relations? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

My entire doctoral program at the university is completely tuition-free.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

The doctoral research program is conducted entirely in English.

What Did You Pursue After the Full DAAD Scholarship under “Research Grants?

A postdoctoral position is the career path I would like to pursue after completing my doctoral program.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

It does not affect your academic studies at all if you do not know German because the doctoral program is conducted entirely in English. You will need to publish international research papers in English and participate in international conferences around the world, which are also conducted in English.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe that having a strong research proposal was the greatest strength of my application. When I clearly understood what I wanted to pursue in my research, I was able to answer the scholarship committee’s interview questions confidently and effectively.

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

My philosophy is to be satisfied with the efforts I have made and continue making. If there were any mistakes, they became valuable lessons that helped me improve. Therefore, I would not change anything that I did during the scholarship application process.

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

A strong research proposal is one of the most important strengths of your application. In addition, during your Undergraduate or Master’s studies, you should prepare essential skills and qualifications, including English proficiency certificates such as IELTS, scientific publications, and a strong GPA to increase your competitiveness against other candidates.