M.A. Public Management Student Wahidullah Azizi from Afghanistan Shares His Journey of Studying at the University of Potsdam, Germany

My name is Wahidullah Azizi. I prefer Wahid for short. I am a 2020 DAAD alumnus of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (HSP) in public policy and good governance. I have a background in anti-corruption and climate finance, working with organisations such as Transparency International, Global Civil Society Ciliation for UNCAC, and collaborating with the Green Climate Fund, to name a few.

I come from an impoverished background in Afghanistan. Given the need for improved governance in the country, I opted to study public policy. For this very reason, I selected the University of Potsdam to study a master’s degree in public management.

DAAD Scholarship Details

Formerly known as Public Policy and Good Governance (PPGG), Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (HSP) is a very competitive scholarship offered by DAAD. Contrary to some other scholarship schemes where one must compete nationally, HSP competes on a global level and admits students into 8 educational institutions across Germany. I was one of the three HSP awarded scholarships holders in 2020. The scholarship amount comprised of full tuition fee waiver and a living allowance amounting to close to Eur. 30000.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I have secured several fellowship programmes, including Salzburg Global 2024, SI Leader Lab 2023, TI School on Integrity 2020, and Financed Uncovered 2019. But I have not sought to apply for another full scholarship for study purposes. In the future, I plan to pursue a PhD programme related to climate finance.

Educational Background

I have a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the International Islamic University Islamabad with a 3.6/4.0 GPA.

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

I found information about the scholarship programme through friends while still working for Integrity Watch in Afghanistan. As mentioned above, due to competences of the programme, I failed in my first and second attempts. The scholarship requires around three years of experience working in a public sector-related job. It does not require GMAT, but I had my TOEFL test submitted with the application, which was a requirement.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the DAAD Scholarship?

The important part of the application was writing a very compelling motivation letter to stand out from the crowd. I had to write many versions and had a supportive circle of friends who kindly reviewed and commented on the draft versions. Then the next important documents were submitting two letters of reference. I suggest starting early with this part, as your referees might not have time to return the letters in time. And of course, the TOEFL. It requires some preparation to familiarize oneself with the format and timing.

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Potsdam?

When I came to Germany, it was COVID time, and many of the classes were offered online. Nonetheless, we also had onsite classes, which I liked the most.

How Do You Rate the University of Potsdam Academically and Why? 

However, my degree programme has been discontinued well after my graduation due to DAAD funding priorities; it was a unique experience. Most of the students have prior experience in the public sector, and this made it very interesting.

How Does the University of Potsdam Support International Students?

The University of Potsdam has a very supportive international office. I did not face any issues during my study programme.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

It was in English

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing German?

To land a good job and go about your daily life, learning the German language is very important. For academic purposes only, English will do.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my background in the anti-corruption sector, GPA from my bachelor’s degree, and a well-written motivation letter were contributing factors.

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

I submitted my application on the last day of the deadline. If I go through the process again, certainly I will make sure to apply as early as possible.

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

Those looking for similar opportunities, having a few years of working experience helps.