How to apply for a doctoral scholarship in Germany

00:00:10: Hello and welcome to today's episode of Chances & Challenges, the BGHS podcast.

00:00:15: I'm your host Sabine Schäfer.

00:00:17: Today we're talking about money.

00:00:19: To pursue a PhD you need some kind of funding.

00:00:22: Applying for a scholarship is very good option especially in Germany where there are quite a number foundations that provide PHD scholarships.

00:00:33: In other countries, for example the UK you might need a scholarship to cover tuition fees which can be high but German universities demand no tuition fee.

00:00:43: And so scholarships serve to cover living expenses in first place and sometimes they even offer extra money like health insurance research travel expense or family allowance.

00:00:55: That means once you've got a scholarship, you can fully concentrate on your research work for several years and don't have to worry about finding a job or reconciling with the PhD.

00:01:07: And I have one of the lucky ones who successfully applied for a scholarship here with me – Bagus Sugiono!

00:01:14: Dear Bagus…I'm very happy that you joined today.

00:01:17: Good morning Sabin….I am also happy to join this podcast.

00:01:21: Bagus holds a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy and Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Jakarta.

00:01:27: Since two thousand twenty-three he is working on his dissertation about Narrative, Activism & Aspiration – Educational Mobility And The Politics Of Belonging To A Nation Among Students From Eastern Indonesia.

00:01:40: In Yogyakarta Bagus got a scholarship from an institution called Katholischer Akademische Austauschdienst, the KAAD.

00:01:47: An Institution of The Catholic Church in Germany that funds post-graduates and scholars from countries in the global south and east Europe.

00:01:56: Bagus I'm curious.

00:01:57: how did it come?

00:01:58: you chose this topic for the PhD?

00:02:00: In two thousand twenty three after i finished my project as a social researcher at the university in Jakarta, then I moved to Jogjakarta.

00:02:12: So this city is called The City of Students In Indonesia because young people from all over Indonesia will come to Jokjakarta to pursue higher education and... ...in discussions with some friends & lecturers.. ..I realized that phenomenon of Eastern Indonesian students.

00:02:33: interesting because they experienced so many, you know various good and bad moments during their stay in Yogyakarta.

00:02:44: That's why then at first I proposed to my supervisor But then in my first year at the BGSS, after some discussions and feedbacks from my supervisor.

00:03:01: Then we tweak a little bit the perspective to see the phenomenon.

00:03:05: The phenomenon is still same but I decided to broaden the perspective not to see this phenomenon From the perspective of inclusive city of Chukchakarta to see this phenomenon from the notion of belonging to the nation.

00:03:22: So there was a development already during your PhD?

00:03:25: I mean, you're in the third year now.

00:03:27: so... This is quite obvious!

00:03:29: You are coming from Indonesia.

00:03:31: why did you choose Germany and Bielefeld for pursuing the PhD?

00:03:35: Wow it's very interesting question.

00:03:38: when i did my bachelor and also master students in Jakarta There were some excellent lecturers graduated from Germany.

00:03:49: because of this encounters with these lectures, I realized that someday have to go to Germany.

00:03:57: Okay!

00:03:58: That's my dream.

00:03:59: i don't know why like the way they think and the way They teach are very different...I don't Know Why.

00:04:06: so thats why then..i know there is something Different With German Higher Education.

00:04:12: That's why then I realized that okay someday.

00:04:14: I have to go Germany for my PhD.

00:04:17: Okay, yeah.

00:04:18: So this time that's why.

00:04:19: Then i tried my best To contact some potential supervisors and also Some potential Fundings that could help me to pursue My phd in germany.

00:04:32: Yeah, okay.

00:04:33: So you really chose Germany because sometimes it's like international um doctor researchers say I simply needed a place where i got funding and could do my phd.

00:04:42: but you would really choose germany.

00:04:43: yes

00:04:44: yeah since the beginning i know that i have to go to germany.

00:04:47: i don't know why but yeah germany always has a place in my heart since the begining.

00:04:54: ok oh that's great!

00:05:00: Okay, so how did you get information about the option of PhD scholarships?

00:05:05: When I want to go to Germany then... ...I started finding some informations especially from my potential supervisor.

00:05:18: some of the lectures at university where I work.

00:05:22: At that moment, and then i got some information... Some possibilities about Fundings And Then..I tried to apply for some of these fundings For instance DAD and also KAD.

00:05:38: But then....i realized that KAD is the most feasible funding for me because at that time I got some information about KAD from the lecturers working in the same university, so i know this scholarship already.

00:06:01: But you have to be catholic to apply?

00:06:05: No!

00:06:08: As far as Catholic communities in Germany, right?

00:06:17: But they do not only focus on young people from the catholic community.

00:06:25: They also open for students who are Muslims because you know Indonesia we're mostly muslims but KD they provide and support students that is Muslim too.

00:06:41: they want to know whether the students have kind of aspiration or a plan to build an inter-religious communication and dialogue.

00:06:51: That's most important thing, so whether you come from...whether you are Muslims, whether your Catholics Buddhism Hinduism or whatever as far as you have like these aspirations and also kind of eagerness kind of interreligious dialogue.

00:07:08: That's the most important, I think.

00:07:10: Ah yeah okay and are there get-togethers among the scholarship holders?

00:07:16: Of KAAD where you get together to talk about

00:07:20: here in Germany or Indonesia?

00:07:22: No no

00:07:23: yes we have a Yaris Academy.

00:07:26: so like an annual meeting amongst the scholarships usually around May or June We gather together in Bonn, so the headquarters of KED is in Bonne.

00:07:40: And then there are a lot of students like two hundred or two-hundred something we gather and share our experiences together.

00:07:49: I mean if i remember this moment it's quite nice because you can meet students from all over the world and then we can share our experiences together in our own university, what are the bad and good moments during our PhD or master's journeys.

00:08:11: support and strength than each other.

00:08:14: That's the most important thing, I think.

00:08:15: yeah

00:08:16: Yeah.

00:08:16: And are you also talking about your project or about your research projects?

00:08:20: Or is it more about The...I don't know the conditions at the universities?

00:08:24: or

00:08:25: in last year's academy In May or June this year the KED department of Asia They invited me to talk about my project.

00:08:35: So at that moment, I was very grateful to share not only my project but also some initial empirical findings and get feedback from the audiences because... Not all of them are familiar with situations in Indonesia.

00:08:55: That's why i felt it as a chance to tell the audiences about Indonesia, my project on educational mobility and belonging among these students.

00:09:08: And I guess that scholarship holders from KAD cover all their disciplines right?

00:09:14: They are not only from social sciences or something but they come from all disciplines.

00:09:18: Yeah yeah also natural sciences like biology physics whatever.

00:09:24: They cover all disciplines for all students.

00:09:28: And how did you prepare the application of KAAD?

00:09:32: Wow, a good question!

00:09:35: If I remember my experiences... it took around one year for me to prepare myself before finally applying to the KD because I remember that in two thousand and twenty-three, i contacted so many potential supervisors.

00:09:53: And then at that time professor Anja Misbah from The University of Bielefeldt.

00:09:58: At that time she was most promising a potential supervisor Because Very nice and just very housey.

00:10:07: I mean when supportive but also for instance, When i send an email And then within like one or two days she will Just uh respond to my email.

00:10:20: She's responsive yeah

00:10:22: and interested

00:10:23: Yeah.

00:10:24: So that's why after some discussions with Professor Anja Misbah Then I decided To apply For the KD Scholarship.

00:10:34: some things that I prepared at the time is, the letters from my supervisor and also uh...my proposal.

00:10:43: Then i sent all of those requirements to KED.

00:10:48: And how did you prepare the proposal?

00:10:51: I mean it's quite complicated for a different country where we don't really know what conditions are or expectations.

00:11:04: Didn't that bother you at all?

00:11:09: I will just contact her through email and then she'll just respond.

00:11:37: So like the discussions were conducted to emails, And also the proposals so at that time i have a proposal regarding inclusive city.

00:11:46: Like i've mentioned earlier we did this kind of discussion and feedback Through e-mail.

00:11:51: so i sent her microsoft words five six two ten pages.

00:11:58: We refined these proposals I think within six months or one year.

00:12:03: So intensive, very intensive.

00:12:05: and then when i asked professor Anja Misbah can i move into the next stage like for instance to find four findings?

00:12:12: And she said yes you can do so in that particular moment.

00:12:16: Then i started to find for a scholarship

00:12:19: Yeah!and i really found it fascinating because You already knew each other very well and also the way you are working.

00:12:28: Yeah, so this is really nice even regarding the distance between your yeah?

00:12:34: So I think that it's something important to get the impression You can work together And other person is interested in project and how you pursue your projects.

00:12:49: That sounds really

00:12:52: good.

00:12:52: Yes, geography Distance at that time was not a big problem for us because we could still like contact each other, had discussions through emails or Zoom meetings.

00:13:04: And also at the same time Professor Anja Misbah she had a chance to come to Jakarta.

00:13:10: So thats why... We met with eachother and then talked about future perspectives of my possibility to push your PhD at the University of Belfast.

00:13:21: And what were the main challenges in this process, and this whole process of application?

00:13:26: I think that's also a good question!

00:13:30: I really never thought about it... About the application process as somebody who lives in Indonesia far away from Germany.

00:13:40: The uncertainties In a sense when you send your applications and then when you sent your inquiries to, for instance in my case to KAD.

00:13:51: And then you had to wait four months without like certain situations.

00:13:57: I think that was the difficult times for me at that time because i don't know about perspective, whether I had to continue my career.

00:14:09: To extend my contract as a research fellow at the university in Jakarta or just continued life with new challenge of PhD.

00:14:21: That's that tough moment because for me applying to KAD is not big challenge once you know they rule.

00:14:31: Uh, what are the requirements?

00:14:34: What other documents?

00:14:36: you just I mean quote unquote prepare all of those documents.

00:14:40: All Of Those Requirements and then send them to The KD.

00:14:45: i mean for my For me myself it's not a big problem because i'm kind of okay when i know those Requirement And Documents.

00:14:52: i will Prepare Them As Quick as i can.

00:14:55: Then i Will Try To Check Again Day by day and Make sure that all of those documents answer the requirements.

00:15:04: I mean, for me it's not a big deal but the uncertainty itself.

00:15:09: when i remember that the uncertainty was the most

00:15:13: tough moment for me yeah?

00:15:15: Yeah!

00:15:15: I can imagine...

00:15:16: I don't know whether you answered your question

00:15:17: or not.. It does definitely.

00:15:23: and when you came to Germany how was that?

00:15:25: ?

00:15:28: It was a surreal experience because I still remember when i was in my first year April, in Germany.

00:15:35: I always ask myself is it real that im already in germany?

00:15:40: Wow this is germany!

00:15:43: Because there's the first time for me to be in europe.

00:15:47: So very surreal.

00:15:49: But The good thing with KD Is That Kd really prepare the scholarship holders well.

00:15:58: In a sense that when we arrive firstly in Germany, they will not throw us away directly into university because We have possibilities around four to six months To learn about German language and German culture.

00:16:18: And KD provide all of those things The accommodations language course and our task is to learn German language, also German culture in those months like four or six months.

00:16:36: And after that we move through our own cities to begin our studies whether PhDs.

00:16:44: but I enjoy a lot studying German languages then adapting them into German cultures Because German culture is totally different from Indonesian

00:16:54: culture.

00:16:56: I have never been to Indonesia, but i can imagine!

00:17:00: The way we talk the way we express ourselves the topics when we teach chat and the weather of course.

00:17:11: yeah those first six months are used those times to the German society and it worked well for me because then when I moved to Bielefeld, i know already what should I do.

00:17:24: For instance When you come into a new city You have to go in their house To those kind of administrative things.

00:17:34: Yeah

00:17:34: yeah

00:17:35: And learn about them.

00:17:36: Because In Indonesia if we move to a new City We don't need anything Just move and continue your life.

00:17:42: But It doesn't apply here in Germany.

00:17:46: So yeah, I mean

00:17:47: everything has to be in order.

00:17:53: Yeah that was my experience In my first months in Germany in two thousand and twenty four mm-hmm.

00:17:59: Okay looking back would you apply again for a scholarship?

00:18:03: Do You think this is what's the good option For you.

00:18:05: i would say yes because First of all Scholarship.

00:18:09: i will always encourage particularly younger generation young people and also those who are considered marginal.

00:18:19: I always encourage them to pursue higher education because at the moment, students from Eastern Indonesia were considered marginal so most of them really feel inferior.

00:18:35: sometimes when i ask what will you do?

00:18:39: after you complete your bachelor's studies in Yogyakarta for instance and then they say actually I want to pursue higher studies but i don't really know whether I can do that.

00:18:51: Hearing this statement makes me kind of...I just want to say it like, You CAN DO THIS!

00:18:58: So thats why I always encourage younger generation especially those who are considered marginalized Don't be afraid to have a dream.

00:19:06: Don't be afraid do something bigger than you think, I mean don't limit yourself.

00:19:14: so that's why then if i could go back and will always answer yes we'll try apply for scholarship.

00:19:25: There are of course many possible scholarships, For instance if you're in Indonesia and want to go to Germany there's DAD and also KAD And there is a scholarship from the national government as well.

00:19:41: so they have lots of scholarships.

00:19:43: But most important thing that I wanted say was don't be afraid.

00:19:48: If your experience failure it just one of those moments, right?

00:19:53: Don't don't be afraid to try again and again.

00:19:57: Don't Be Afraid To Pursue Your Dream.

00:20:01: That's the thing that I want to say not only to me myself but also to younger generation especially in Indonesia or younger generations wherever you are And Especially to Younger Generation In Those Developing Country.

00:20:19: grab your moment, seize your moments to pursue higher education.

00:20:25: Is there something you would have done differently from today's perspective?

00:20:29: I think that this PhD journey has transformed me into a new person again and again.

00:20:39: the way of course I kind of have a new perspective in seeing realities.

00:20:48: I think that's the good moment for doing this PhD journey, For instance... The way i see marginal younger generations In Indonesia.. The way I see educational mobility.. The ways i see my project for instance Belonging to the nation.

00:21:05: How do younger generation belong?

00:21:09: So yes not only academically, it has been changing me academically but also emotionally.

00:21:19: The way I sense my relationship in society with these marginal people.

00:21:25: so to say yeah and perhaps the distance helps in some ways.

00:21:33: So you are now in Germany thinking about Indonesia from this perspective.

00:21:39: You're still Indonesian But you are now here and experienced different things.

00:21:44: And so this also changes the perspective, I

00:21:48: guess?

00:21:48: You're totally right!

00:21:49: So... The experience of being in distance with Indonesia.

00:21:54: Of course on one hand i can see Indonesia from a new perspective but also the experience of Being Here In Germany To Experience Myself The Way The German Professors Teach Me atmosphere of the, you know at The Bejesus for instance.

00:22:14: My communications and my interactions with fellow PhD researchers here At The Bejeuses all those experiences And moments.

00:22:24: they also shape the way I think ,the Way i leave my own life.

00:22:30: so The experience Of being Here as well in Germany the encounters with the German atmosphere, particularly in academic situations it also changed me a lot.

00:22:46: Do

00:22:46: you plan to go back to Indonesia when your finished your PhD?

00:22:51: Or would like stay in Germany or Europe?

00:22:54: Okay that's good question.

00:22:57: First of all if I have chance for instance one- two years postdocs because I think it would be a good additional experience for me, right?

00:23:11: Not directly informative to the academic situation.

00:23:15: But i mean within my heart...I always have a desire to return to Indonesia.

00:23:22: that's always my deepest desire!

00:23:25: I want to go back and then become a lecturer at university in indonesia Because only by doing so can I get more impactful to the Indonesian society, I don't know other people but from my own perspective myself.

00:23:45: returning to Indonesia is always my deepest desire.

00:23:50: To become more impactful for the Indonesian Society doesn't mean that i totally cut my connection with Germany because discussions with my fellow PhD researchers, so that's why then I think once i am in Indonesia still can build and strengthen and perhaps I can invite them to Germany or we could do some projects together in competitive cases for instance.

00:24:27: There are a lot of things that i will be doing, but returning back to Indonesia is always my deepest

00:24:38: desire to encourage other people there.

00:24:50: To do something in Germany or something?

00:24:52: Yeah, go to Germany and put your higher education into Germany.

00:24:55: that's also one of the possibilities I can do!

00:25:00: What advice would you give international candidates who are thinking about doing a doctorate in a

00:25:09: practical perspective.

00:25:10: If you really want to go to Germany or wherever and then know that you need scholarship, please learn that scholarship as early as you can!

00:25:22: And what is the aim of foundation?

00:25:26: What are its vision & mission?

00:25:29: The most important thing is what are their requirements?

00:25:35: all of those requirements.

00:25:37: documents as early as you can and then if you are failed please think that it's just one possible moment, so don't be afraid to try again and again.

00:25:54: I believe that those failures will not stop you from pursuing your high education particularly here in Germany.

00:26:03: That's the first practical advice.

00:26:05: The second practical advise of course please contact your potential supervisors And then do a kind of discussions as early as you can because During those discussions, you can discuss your proposal.

00:26:19: You can discuss whatever... ...you can discuss in a future perspective or about the university and graduate school for instance.

00:26:27: Those are practical things that I would give as an advice.

00:26:31: And general advice is to prepare yourself mentally Because once you move to Germany then you have to adapt with language The German language, the German culture.

00:26:46: You have to adapt with all of those things and also for instance as a PhD researcher I'm still also experiencing this because doing a PhD is kind-of journey.

00:26:59: It takes years And you're doing that same thing Again again your writing the same thing again and again.

00:27:07: prepare yourself mentally Because in my own experiences, there are times when I felt bored and then you just want to finish this.

00:27:20: Sometimes i feel that...I don't wanna open my laptop or the feedback from my supervisor but thats reality is that.. I have encounter right?

00:27:32: So mentally we also experienced it because most of students perhaps perhaps we are not prepared about this thing.

00:27:47: Yeah, it's a kind of work and sometimes boring or exhausting

00:27:54: because at the beginning before you apply your PhD or scholarship only think about exciting moments bearing as new status.

00:28:08: And then when people ask you, what are doing at the moment?

00:28:12: I'm a PhD researcher.

00:28:15: That's an exciting one right but once you delve yourself into this journey and start to experience those desolations Then you started to realize the reality of PhD journey and please be prepared for those mentally so that we can still survive in this long journey.

00:28:38: Yeah, yeah... And I think then a community like BGHS or KAAD is very helpful because when you exchange Yeah, I know what you're feeling because after that too... I don't know three weeks ago or something.

00:28:56: The good thing of the BGSS at the University of Bielefeld in particular is it provides us with a particular atmosphere where we can encounter other PhD researchers and then share our experiences and downs, then also we can learn from the experiences of senior Korean researchers.

00:29:24: So that's a good thing for BGSS.

00:29:27: I mean you have all those younger generations.

00:29:32: they should consider applying to the BGSS.

00:29:36: if i could promote it!

00:29:43: As a graduate school, it encourages us not only to be an independent researcher.

00:29:49: Right?

00:29:50: as an independent researcher we have to organize our own schedule because We have to take some credits and then you have to deal like okay I Have for instance three or four years scholarship And in which year should i do this credit also?

00:30:05: so the BGSS, it trains us to be an independent researcher.

00:30:10: But also it provides a more flexible space in encountering other PhD researchers and that's their good experience.

00:30:19: based on my own experiences at the BGSS.

00:30:22: Yeah I'm very happy you said this because we want exactly what we wanted!

00:30:28: We want our doctoral researches to be independent but not feel abandoned or something like that, but to know there is a community.

00:30:38: There are people who support and you know... People will help if they struggle But also have parties with them together.

00:30:52: So this exactly what we want

00:30:54: Handsome experiences going to restaurants Dining, for

00:31:02: instance.

00:31:02: It

00:31:02: was a quite nice experience.

00:31:05: I mean beyond your academic things right?

00:31:11: Because this is also really quite long phase in life and an important phase where lots of things happen.

00:31:19: Okay dear Bagwus thank you so much for sharing your experiences And i wish all the best for future.

00:31:25: You're

00:31:25: welcome.

00:31:26: Thank you very much also for inviting me to share my experiences.

00:31:31: I hope that what i have shared with all of those listeners can help them grow more and perhaps to pursue PhD or to share these experiences to those who need it, thankyou very much!

00:31:55: and it's worth the effort of application.

00:31:58: On the BGHS website, there is a list of foundations and other institutions in Germany that offer doctoral scholarships.

00:32:04: You find the link on our show notes.

00:32:07: If you enjoyed todays episode please share with your colleagues & friends And as always we'd like to hear about your thoughts.

00:32:14: if you have any questions comments or suggestions for future topics send us an email at bgsatuni-bielefeldt.de.

00:32:23: Thank you for tuning in.

00:32:25: And until next time, optimism!

00:32:27: Have faith in yourself and make the best of chances & challenges on your academic journey.