Maria, Gohar and Samantha have made it – all three have received a scholarship from the DAAD to pursue postgraduate studies at SRH University Heidelberg. In conversation with our editor Madeleine Krehahn, they talk about what inspires them.
For many, it is a privilege to be able to study at a private university in Germany. Scholarships awarded for outstanding achievements or social commitment can help pave the way to success.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world’s largest funding organisation dedicated to promoting the international exchange of researchers and students. Every year, the DAAD also awards scholarships to students from all over the world to enable them to continue their postgraduate studies in Germany. Three international students at SRH University Heidelberg have been fortunate enough, and sufficiently accomplished, to receive one of these coveted DAAD scholarships. The prerequisite for such a scholarship is the ability to demonstrate political, social, cultural or civic commitment.
Maria Panagi, Gohar Matevosyan and Samantha DeCarlo – these are the names of the three scholarship holders at SRH. All three are studying one of the creative therapies, either Dance Movement Therapy or Music Therapy.
“It is a pleasure to be able to study in the heart of Europe, in a beautiful city like Heidelberg with renowned professors,” remarked Maria from Cyprus. A friend of hers told her all about the DAAD scholarship, and encouraged her to apply.
In Samantha’s case, it was less a spontaneous decision than a long-held dream of studying in Germany that inspired her to apply. Her mother was also awarded a DAAD scholarship when she was a student, and she used this knowledge to teach Samantha German from an early age. “Even though my German wasn’t perfect, constantly speaking and listening to the German language gave me the dream of being able to live and learn in Germany,” said the young US American.
Sometimes I can’t believe that what I am studying is what I am. I believe in the power of music therapy, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to study and practise this therapy.
As early as 32 years ago, the DAAD also supported the American Professor Dr. Douglas Keith, whose scholarship enabled him to focus on music therapy in Germany. He now teaches this very subject at SRH University Heidelberg, where he heads the Creative Therapies degree programmes. “None of this would have been possible without the DAAD,” commented Keith. He is still in possession of his scholarship letter, and is grateful for the support that scholarship holders receive every year.
People with DAAD backing benefit from it for life.
Music therapy also has a special meaning for Gohar, one of the current scholarship holders: she experienced first-hand the war over Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia, her home country. Gohar volunteered daily to help assist both civilians and soldiers. These experiences prompted her to use music therapy for wounded soldiers in the future, to alleviate their suffering. She did not leave Armenia alone though: the DAAD also helped Gohar’s husband to obtain a visa, enabling them to enter the country together. In Germany, the couple are now learning German together and finding out about life in Heidelberg: “We miss the sunny Armenian weather, but hope to experience lots of spring flowers and sunshine here in Heidelberg.”
All three scholarship holders have their favourite places in Heidelberg: the Old Town, the Old Bridge and, of course, the Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Walk).
We wish them every success in their studies and lots of fun in our beautiful city!
That could also interest you
