Germany Scholarship – Introduction of scholarship holders

Junsoo Im is in the second semester of a Master of Science in Molecular life Sciences. He completed his bachelor studies in biology in 2019 at Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom, but returned to Germany after the corona pandemic broke out in 2020 to continue his studies here.

 “The Germany Scholarship not only provides me with financial support, but also with a huge opportunity to further my interdisciplinary horizon. It is a great honor and special opportunity to meet and network with people from a range of departments and cultures. I want to thank Universität Hamburg and the funding providers for giving me the opportunity to develop myself academically.”

Lotte-Maybrit Rinne, born in Hamburg in 2004, is in her second semester of medicine at Universität Hamburg. Even from her early childhood she knew that she wanted to work for the health and wellbeing of humankind. During her free time, she tutors young children and spends a lot of time in nature. Through a range of internships before her studies, she gleaned some insights into the working life of a doctor.

“The most important thing is that you have an idea, and then that you work towards it with passion.” (Luciano Benetton)

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Germany Scholarship. Of course the aspect of financing is an important factor, but my life is much more enriched by the great people that I have been able to meet. The feeling of community is amazing and you can meet many new people during the great supplemental program. You can make totally new friends.”

Marina Falke is in the fourth semester of her Master of Science in Integrated Climate System Sciences, focusing on climate physics and climate related social sciences. In her free time, she works with Greenpeace, visits schools, and holds presentations to explain climate change and potential solutions.

“After my studies in physics, I wanted to use my knowledge for something real, and I have always been very involved with climate change. It is a very complex problem, and we can only find solutions if we think across disciplines and countries. And the Germany Scholarship seems to value this diversity, which is great! There are always new exciting inputs from discussions with my funding provider and my fellow scholarship holders. In addition to the personal support, the financial support helps me focus on my studies, and to put more energy and time into my volunteer work. It also helped me to do a stay abroad in Finland. I am so grateful to my funding provider for that.”

Lara-Sophie Isernhagen is in the fourth semester of sign language interpreting. In addition to her studies, she volunteers with Lebenshilfe Rottweil, and the departmental student representative committee of the faculty as well as currently conducting a student research project into everyday barriers for deaf people in hospitals. In her free time, she does a lot of sport.

 “My studies made me increasingly aware of societal shortcomings in the context of accessibility, inclusion, and equal rights. The Germany Scholarship gives me the opportunity for active exchange with a large network, that then creates awareness and understanding. That is an important foundation for ongoing improvements for minority groups. I am very grateful to my funding providers for valuing and supporting my activities outside of university in this field!”

Dana Sue Bachmeier was born in Augsburg in 2002. She is in her second semester of socioeconomics.

"Being a Germany Scholarship recipient is a huge honor for me and I am really happy that my social commitment, in addition to my academic achievements, is recognized. Due to the combination of social and economics factors with the goal of understanding societal issues from different perspectives, socioeconomics is, for me, the ideal degree program and the support gives me new and special motivation. It's enormously enriching to be part of such a diverse network."

Deetje Kräft is 19. She studies media and communications as well as political science. In addition to her studies, she works in a PR agency for digital health companies.

"Ever since I received the Germany Scholarship I have known that it is much more than just a scholarship! Thanks to the Germany Scholarship, I have been able to meet a lot of terrific people and learn a lot of new things about the most varied topics at various events! I am incredibly thankful to the University and the providers for this. I can only advise those classmates who are perhaps still unsure about whether they should apply to definitely do so!

Of course, there are also financial reasons to do so. The scholarship puts me in the privileged position of not having to wonder at the end of the month about whether I can afford to buy food."

Maike Rosendahl was born in Emden in 1998; she is in her second semester of phsyics at Universität Hamburg. She is specializing in medical physics and has just written her bachelor's thesis in atomic medicine at the UKE.

"After I complete my studies, I would like to become a medical physicist and contribute to the further development of research in the field. I am very thankful that the scholarship has enabled me to make new contacts and participate in interdisciplinary networks. The scholarship also gives me a chance to concentrate entirely on my studies and develop personally.“

Sophia Schuster, born in Lübeck in 2000, is in her second semester of law at Universität Hamburg. Prior to that, she spent 2 years in China, where she worked as an au pair and English tutor while learning Mandarin at a university.

“For me personally, the Deutschlandstipendium is a great honor and highly motivating. The exchange with the sponsors is especially enriching and inspiring because many of them come from different fields, so they can always contribute new perspectives to the conversation or discussion. The Deutschlandstipendium is especially helpful during the pandemic, and I am very grateful. It provides both financial and moral support because it fosters social connection and great togetherness.”

Moritz Bauknecht, born in Hamburg in 2001, has been studying medicine since Winter Semester 2020/2021. Prior to his studies, he had already completed several internships on the pediatric wards of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.

“Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction.”—Francis Picabia

“As a child, I was already fascinated by medicine. Vague dreams became concrete goals, and since I started studying last winter semester, I have been confident that I have taken the right path, which challenges and excites me with diverse topics and interesting perspectives every day. But every ambitious plan requires support. That’s what the Deutschlandstipendium provides—financially but also in terms of interdisciplinary exchange. I am very happy to be part of a network of motivated students and enthusiastic supporters!”

,,I'm Giorgia, I'm 25 and  I'm studying Journalism, Media and Globalisation in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus Master's programme at Universitat Hamburg. Originally from Cesena, Italy, I travelled to the US, Spain, Denmark and Germany to pursue my education and thanks to all these experiences I learnt so much about the world around me and how I want to leave my small but significant mark on it: telling stories. I'm interested in reporting on education, culture and community development.

I'm also an avid volunteer and I've worked with refugees, vulnerable people and children, which led me to become an advocate for women and children's rights; I'm currently beginning to write my thesis on the relationship between news media and children and adolescents in Italy. Apart from journalistic work, I am a songwriter, I write poetry and I love walking around exploring new cities. For me, Hamburg has still so many secrets left to discover!"

Kathrin Winkler, born in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm in 1985, is in her second semester of midwifery.

After she completed her first degree in the humanities, she worked for a few years in business administration and founded her own company. When she started her own family, she discovered her interest in helping other women give birth. Six years later, she took the plunge and started dual studies in midwifery. Since then, she has been commuting between the delivery room, the lecture hall, and her family.

“Family and study are not mutually exclusive. As a student in a dual degree program and mother of 3 children, I am especially happy about the support from the Deutschlandstipendium. The fringe program and contact to other students and providers always inspire to me to think outside the box.”

Karla Eberle, born in Hamburg in 2000, is in the second semester of her political science studies.

“First and foremost, the Germany Scholarship motivates me to continue pursuing my social commitments. I think it is very important that emphasis is placed not only on academic performance, but also on those activities that help shape a diverse, multi-faceted community. In my work with children and adolescents, I try to be creative in various projects, but above all, I try to create spaces where people can share their thoughts and new ideas can grow. The financial support enables me to continue these activities alongside my studies.”

Juyoung Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1994 and has been studying socioeconomics at Universität Hamburg since Winter Semester 2019/2020. After completing her Abitur, Ms. Lee worked in investment, while also completing a distance program in international management. She became interested in social projects during a stay in Cambodia, where she volunteered as an English teacher. This inspired her decision to begin studying socioeconomics in Germany.

“I am very grateful that I received the Germany Scholarship in particular this year when everyone is struggling due to the corona pandemic. Previously I had a little side job in addition to my studies. With the pandemic, I would not have been able to continue that job.”

Fabio Venegas was born in Hamburg in 1997 and is working towards his master’s degree in geophysics with a focus on volcanology. During his childhood in Costa Rica, earthquakes and active volcanoes were an everyday occurrence for him. His studies have helped him better understand and more effectively monitor these natural events. While completing his bachelor’s thesis, Mr. Venegas became involved in the development of an early warning system for eruptions at the Turrialba Volcano. The university community is very important to him, which is why he plays an active role in the departmental student body and tutors students in lower semesters. He enjoys spending his free time outdoors or rock climbing in the gym.

“The Germany Scholarship has given me an opportunity to live up to my full potential, expand my academic network, and intensify my social commitments. It will also help me finance my semester abroad in Iceland, where I hope to gain further valuable practical experience. In particular right now during the corona crisis, the scholarship is an important source of support.”

Christian Hericks was born in Munster in North Rhine Westphalia in 1985 and is a bachelor’s degree student in sign language interpreting. He is a trained teacher and has been working for over 10 years in the social sector, primarily in addiction recovery support. His observations led him to conclude that the deaf and hearing-impaired are nearly absent in the standard addiction support system, and he fears that communication difficulties limit their access to these support services, some of which are vital. Mr. Hericks is therefore especially interested in lastingly removing these barriers to make addiction recovery support accessible to everyone.

“The Germany Scholarship is helping me pursue my second degree more intensively. In addition to the monthly financial support, which allows me to work less and spend more time and energy on my studies, I feel that the Germany Scholarship is also a form of recognition of my previous achievements. It affirms my work and really motivates me, as a future sign language interpreter, to seek to make a positive, long-term contribution to communication between those who hear and the deaf and hearing-impaired, thereby actively preventing misunderstandings and complications.”  
 

“The Germany Scholarship doesn’t just provide financial assistance and extra motivation to complete further training during your studies; the social and academic spheres that you move in—alongside sponsors, other recipients, and organizers at the University—are invaluable.”

Christine Sibylle Mainka was born in Husum on the North Sea in 1991 and is working towards a master’s degree in philosophy She is also a state certified gymnastics trainer with a concentration in dance. Through dialog, movement courses, and her writing, Christine is enthusiastically helping people from all walks of life become aware of the many different ways to live their lives well.

“I see the Germany Scholarship as a great acknowledgment of my work and accomplishments. And for this, I am extremely grateful. The portraits on this page encouraged me to apply for the scholarship. It’s worth it! The exchange of thoughts and ideas with the other recipients, who are working and active in highly diverse areas, is rewarding."

Ruken Kalash, born in Al-Hasaka, Syria, in 1995, was set to study English literature at the University of Damascus but was forced to leave the country in November 2012 because of the war. She fled to northern Iraq and enrolled as a psychology student at the University of Duhok.

In 2016 she fled for Germany. While living in a shelter for refugees, she volunteered as a translator. Ms. Kalash learned German and received her acceptance letter from Universität Hamburg in August 2018. She has been studying German language and literature since Winter Semester 2018/19.

“I am very grateful to my sponsors, Susanne and Michael Krause, for the support that I receive through the Germany Scholarship. It means a lot to me. For me, it is not just financial help that has made it possible for me to concentrate on my studies, it also an acknowledgment of my accomplishments and strengthens my resolve to complete my university studies.”

Mauriz Nikolas Behnke, born in Kaltenkirchen in 1993, has been studying for a Master of Science in Health Economics and Health Care Management since October 2017. Prior to that, he was enrolled in a dual program (cooperative work-study degree program) and spent a semester in Dublin. Mr. Behnke is an active member of Global Citizen, an organization that aims to end extreme poverty by 2030.

“Aside from the financial help that allows me to concentrate on my studies, the support that the Germany Scholarship provides is especially notable for the wide variety of other activities associated with it. These makes it possible to connect with other motivated, dedicated students in various subject areas.”

Anja Frerichs, born in Barßel near Oldenburg in 1996, is in her second semester of studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. Prior to that, she was an au pair in New Zealand. Privately, she is active in the organization Arbeiterkind, which encourages children from non-academic backgrounds to pursue university studies, advising them on questions about studying.

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“For me, the Germany Scholarship is not just about financial support but also the opportunity to forge contact with students in other departments. As a child from a family without any university education (a “working-class kid”), the Germany Scholarship also recognizes my achievements and reaffirms my decision to study.”

Jannis Gries was born in Pinneberg in 1998 and initially did not know what he wanted to study after he completed school. He got a taste of medical studies for a few months during a nursing internship at the Albertinen Hospital but ultimately decided to study law. Prior to that, he initiated a support program at his school in which former students came in and talked about their post-school studies or training. Besides his studies, Mr. Gries has also played in a soccer league for 17 years.

“I applied for the Germany Scholarship so I could concentrate on my studies and secure my financial independence. It was especially important to me that the scholarship is not associated with any political or economic ideologies or religions. I especially like having personal contact to my sponsor who, independent of the financial aspects, also provides me with moral support. Moreover, the accompanying program offered by the Germany Scholarship is very attractive, with appealing activities that allow all of the recipients to meet with their sponsors.”

Diana Alpysbayeva, born in Kazakhstan in 1995, was an exchange student at the Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg in 2015. She studied English and American literature there and ultimately completed her Bachelor of Education at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in 2016. Her strong desire to become politically active in her country inspired Ms. Alpysbayeva’s decision to apply to the Master of Arts in Peace and Security Studies at Universität Hamburg. Kazakhstan’s president has already honored her for her work with a youth organization.

Ms. Alpysbayeva would like to share her experiences in Germany with people in her native country and contribute to improving the situation there: “I want to get experience, which I will carry with me throughout my life, and contribute, to the development of the youth in Kazakhstan.”

Marah Al Rshidat was born in Daraa, Syria, in 1994 and studied pharmacy in her homeland until the war compelled her to leave in 2014. When she arrived in Germany, she learned German and received her acceptance letter from Universität Hamburg in August 2016. Ms. Al Rshidat has continued with her pharmacy studies since Winter Semester 2016/17.

“Thanks to the financial support from the Germany Scholarship, I can concentrate on my studies. The scholarship program also facilitates encounters with other students in different faculties and contact with the sponsors, who I was able to meet personally.”

Avi Liberman was born in Rehovot, Israel, in 1987. He already completed his training as a classical singer in Jerusalem, before moving to Germany in 2011. Here he is studying historical musicology as well as Italian language and literature, a subject in which he also acts as a tutor to other students. Avi Liberman sees himself as a cultural intermediary, building bridges between cultures through his work as a lecturer and in the theater.

 „Das Deutschlandstipendium ermöglicht und fördert den Austausch mit Menschen anderer Studienfächer, denen ich im Uni-Alltag kaum begegnet wäre. Über das Begleitprogramm und den Förderer erhalte ich einen Einblick in für mich neue Bereiche – die auch eine Bereicherung sind. Ich verspreche mir für die Zukunft durch diese Kontakte ein breiteres Spektrum an Berufsmöglichkeiten.“

Charlotte Sophie Hübel, born in Bochum in 1992, has been working towards her master’s in international business and sustainability at Universität Hamburg since Winter Semester 2015. Prior to that, she successfully completed her bachelor’s degree in international tourism in the Harz mountains in Germany and in England. Privately, Ms. Hübel is also dedicated to sustainability issues and is a member of both Greenpeace and Oikos, a student initiative which advocates for sustainable business practices at Universität Hamburg and elsewhere.  As a member of Oikos, she heads the CupChange Project, which aims to find an ecologically sound solution for disposable paper cups on campus.

“The Germany Scholarship is not only a huge motivation to actively continue with my studies and focus on my personal interests, it is also a unique opportunity to be part of a creative network of students from a wide variety of subject areas and cultures. I can’t imagine my life without that anymore.”

Jan Ibens, Deutschlandstipendiat 2016

Jan Ibens is 24 years old and in his second semester of the master’s program in business administration with a focus on finance, auditing, and taxation. The fact he attained an internship with Hoffman-La Roche in Basel last semester, which provided insight into the liquidity planning, asset management, and foreign exchange management of a globally operating corporation with almost CHF 40 billion in annual turnover,“was definitely attributable not only to good university grades but also in large part to the Germany Scholarship as an outstanding international seal of approval!... Education, support, diversity, friendship, experiences. The Germany Scholarship stands for all that and much more in my opinion.”

Johanna Hänsel, born in Marburg in 1996, is a bachelor’s degree student in East Asian studies with a focus on sinology and a minor in biology. When she completes her studies, Ms. Hänsel would like to work as a science journalist. She has already completed several internships to help her achieve this goal, including at the NDR broadcasting company, where she also worked as a student employee / multimedia assistant. As a board member of Weitblick Hamburg e.V., she actively promotes equitable access to education worldwide.

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“The Germany Scholarship gives us an opportunity to broaden our horizons in many ways. On the one hand, it is a financial support for your own projects and ideas. On the other, it give us recipients an opportunity to get to know people from all subject areas with different life paths. It also opens closed doors to companies, production facilities, events, and scientific workshops.”

Anton Rudakov, geboren 1980 in St. Petersburg, Russland, ist ausgebildeter Balletttänzer und hat als Choreograph bereits einige internationale Preise gewonnen. Seit Oktober 2016 studiert er mit Erfolg Performance Studies an der UHH. Neben seinem Studium ist er weiterhin als Choreograph und Tänzer tätig, konnte seine Arbeit u.a. in der Schweiz, den USA, Mazedonien und am Tanztheater Erfurt zur Aufführung bringen. Im Juni 2017 präsentierte er die Abschluss-Produktion seines Masters in Performance Studies auf Kampnagel in Hamburg. Unter dem Titel "Totalitarian Bodies" bearbeitet er am Beispiel der sowjetischen und postsowjetischen Epoche die Frage, wie unsere Körper/physische Wahrnehmung in Zeiten extremer politischer, kultureller und sozialer Veränderungen reagieren und welche Überlebensstrategien sie auf Unterdrückungsmechanismen entwickeln. Die Choreographie ist hier auf Youtube zu sehen.

  “Thanks to the Germany Scholarship, I have recently been able to take part in several exciting projects that helped me develop artistically. I am looking forward to other interesting projects and events in which I can actively participate and help make happen.”

“The Germany Scholarship has enabled me to gain practical insights and contacts and engage in an interdisciplinary exchange of thoughts and ideas with other recipients.

At the same time, the scholarship gives me enough time to concentrate on my studies as well as to take part in international student projects. This way I can broaden my horizons and lay important groundwork for my professional path ahead.”

„Das Deutschlandstipendium bietet mir die Möglichkeit, mich in meinem Studium auf das Wesentliche zu konzentrieren und gleichzeitig ein enges Netzwerk aus potentiellen Arbeitgebern und Mitstipendiaten zu knüpfen.“

Isis Alexandra Offen was born in Hamburg in 1993 and knew early on that she wanted to be a teacher. She started tutoring while still at school. She was also a member of all of her school music ensembles and plays several instruments. With her excellent high school GPA, Ms. Offen was immediately admitted to a teacher training program at Universität Hamburg. Her teaching subjects are geography and Spanish. Due to her interest in history, she also decided to also study towards a bachelor’s in this subject beginning in Winter Semester 2014/15. In addition to her studies in Hamburg, Ms. Offen completed an Erasmus exchange semester at Universidad de Sevilla in Winter Semester 2015/16. In Winter Semester 2016/17, she completed both her Bachelor of Science and her Bachelor of Arts with honors. With her specialization in biogeography and vegetation geography, Ms. Offen hopes to later contribute to sustainable usage of environmental resources. She remains active in music. Ms. Offen enjoyed great success in various competitions and events in Germany and the rest of the world.

“The Germany Scholarship encourages networking among students from different subject areas, which significantly expands your horizons. It makes it possible for me to continue volunteering at a school and playing in an orchestra while I study. It also gives me a chance to use the semester breaks to go on geographical excursions as a tutor.”

Sebastián Aznárez, Germany Scholarship Holder 2015

“I am very grateful to the Germany Scholarship team for the financial aid provided, which has allowed me to pursue my professional goals.

It is a wonderful concept—an institution that helps students achieve their professional objectives. Thanks to the Germany Scholarship, I can now focus fully on my studies.”

“The Germany Scholarship provides me with financial support, which enables me to concentrate entirely on my studies, and contacts in my field of study.”