Information Centre Singapore, Issue August | 2016
newsletter
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Topics of this issue
Editorial, Announcement p.1
Recent Events................p. 2
Upcoming Events...........p. 3
Financing your studies . p. 4
Testimonitals ............p. 5 / 6
Contact us
Online:
www.ic.daad.de/singapore/
www.facecook.com/
daad.singapore
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: (+65) 6223 4226
Dear readers,
In this issue ...
This time, we have two testimonials from
students who have spent time in Germany
recently. Hearing some first-hand
experiences from fellow students is often
more interesting than researching plain facts
about a country; which is why we always try
to bring you some personal testimonials.
Khai Shing Chua and Christabel Fernandez
both had the opportunity to study German ‘on
site‘ thanks to different scholarships. Do read
their accounts on page 5 and 6.
If you also have an interesting story to share
or advice for future students, please let us
know!
Editorial
A big worry for any potential student is how to
finance their studies in Germany. While most
programmes are tuition-free, there are still
living costs to bear for the duration of studies.
We have included some information on
scholarships for various levels of studies and
research as well as other options such as part
time jobs.
We hope that you will enjoy reading this
edition of our newsletter. If you have any
queries, feedback or ideas regarding the
content, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Kerstin Schulze & Claudia Finner
Publisher
Deutscher Akademischer
Austauschdienst e.V.
(DAAD)
Kennedyallee 50
D-53175 Bonn
Contact
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD),
Information Centre Singapore
c/o Goethe-Institut
136 Neil Road
Singapore 088865
Editor
Claudia Finner
Photos
DAAD IC Singapore p. 2
ANNOUNCEMENT
“Falling Walls Lab”
NTU is hosting the “Falling Walls Lab” this year on 2nd September, 4pm-7pm at the
NTU HSS Auditorium!
Initiated 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, this interdisciplinary forum gives
emerging talents, entrepreneurs and innovators the chance to present their work and
ideas to like-minded peers as well as a jury. Winners of the Singapore Falling Walls
Lab will get to attend the Falling Walls Conference in Germany in November, which
you can also watch through a live stream!
The event is free for the public to attend, but requires registration due to limited available spaces: http://tinyurl.com/z696bpw
U. Wenzel/DAAD, p. 4
K. S. Chua, p. 5
C. Fernandez, p. 6
More information:
http://falling-walls.com/ and http://global.ntu.edu.sg/GDI/Events/FWLS/Pages/
default.aspx
newsletter >>>>>>
Page 2
DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue August | 2016
Tips & Tricks
Semester Holidays
and what to do
Travelling within Europe
is easy and many interesting countries are right
Recent Events
IPSA-NUS
On 13th July, the DAAD presented the options for scholarships for PhD’s and Postdocs
in Germany to a group of Master students,
PhD’s and postdocs currently studying and
researching at the IPSA-NUS Methods
School.
Students were particularly impressed that
programmes were not only free, but there
was even the option to receive funding from
the DAAD or other institutions.
NUS High School
The career fair at NUS High School on 17th
August was bustling with people when it
opened at 12 noon. For 2 hours, both Claudia
Finner and Kerstin Schulze from DAAD were
answering questions to interested students
and parents about studying in Germany.
Students were excited to hear that most
programmes are tuition free and they even
have the opportunity to study in English.
at your doorstep. Even
for students, there are
affordable travel options
such as the Interrail Tickets or Student Bahncard!
Another alternative is to
use the break to find a
job for a few weeks and
help your finances!
Semester breaks:
At universities you typically have time without
lectures “vorlesungsfreie
Zeit” between mid February to mid-April and from
Temasek Polytechnic
On 14th July, Temasek Polytechnic held their
annual Global Opportunities Day. Together
with the Goethe-Institut, the German
Embassy and the Bundesliga, the DAAD represented Germany. In two sessions, groups
of 30 students were introduced to Germany.
A football quiz, goal wall shootout and table
football matches entertained the students and
this was followed by a short quiz on Germany
and its higher education system by the
DAAD. A mini German class by the Goethe
Institut concluded the second session. Time
flew by and all students left excited with new
impressions and information about Germany.
the end of July to midOctober. At FHs these
Claudia Finner consulting an interested parent
and son at NUS High School
MOELC
Claudia Finner presented studying in
Germany in a fun way at the MOELC on 3rd
August. Both grade 11 and 12 learned about
German culture, history and studies - all in
German. The students have been learning
the language for 5 or 6 years respectively and
showed a keen interest in German culture
and career opportunities.
times may be slightly
earlier. Exact dates will
vary.
Travel destination Germany:
www.germany.travel
Excited students after the Bundesliga Quiz
MOELC German Class 11th Grade
Career, education, lifestyle: www.younggermany.de
Hop on the train:
www.bahn.de and
Raffles Institution
On 15th August, the DAAD attended the
career fair at Raffles Institution, explaining
students the available study options and
necessary requirements to study in Germany.
http://www.interrail.eu/
MOELC German Class 12th Grade
Find jobs:
www.arbeitsargentur.de
newsletter >>>>>>
Page 3
DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue August | 2016
Public Events 2016
2nd September |
Falling Walls Lab
Time: 4pm - 7pm
Venue: NTU HSS
Auditorium, 14 Nanyang Drive, SG
637332
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
23rd September |
Infoseminar,
Theme: “Doing a
Doctorate—
Research in Germany”
Time: 2:30pm
Venue: SIT@SP,
Level 5, 510 Dover
Road, SG 139660
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1st October |
Study in Europe
FAIR
Time: 10am - 5 pm
Venue:
Peninsula Hotel,
5 Coleman St,
SG 179805
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1st, 2nd November
| Symposium
Time: both days
9am
Venue: A*STAR
Upcoming Events
We have many exciting events coming up in
the following months! Please find a summary
of each event below. Once more information
or sign up links are available, or if new events
are added, we will post them on our website
http://ic.daad.de/singapore/ and Facebook
page www.facebook.com/daad.singapore please check in closer to the dates.
Like us on Facebook to always keep up to
date with news, information and events!
Falling Walls Lab, 2nd September, NTU
HSS Auditorium, 14 Nanyang Drive,
Singapore 637332
NTU is hosting the Falling Walls Lab,
mentioned on Page 1 of this newsletter.
Entrance to this interdisciplinary forum is free
of charge; simply register at http://
tinyurl.com/z696bpw
Note that there are limited spaces available.
Infoseminar “Doing a Doctorate - Research in Germany”, 23rd September
14:30, at SIT@SP, Level 5, 510 Dover
Road, Singapore 139660
Together with TUM Asia and Fraunhofer
IDM@NTU, the DAAD will hold a joint infoseminar on doing a doctorate in Germany.
Information about the difference between
doing the traditional PhD with supervision by
a “Doktorvater /-mutter” and structured PhD
programmes as well as information on
scholarships will be presented.
During the panel discussion with German
professors you can ask any questions you
may have regarding doctorate studies in Germany.
Please sign up at https://ssl.daad.de/
limesurvey/426563/lang-en
Information Session at Dulwich College,
26th September
The Dulwich College is organizing their first
European Day of Languages and the DAAD
will be there with the Goethe-Institut to
represent Germany and inform students
about study opportunities at German
universities as well as life in Germany.
Career Fair at United World College, 30
September
On September 30, the DAAD will attend the
UWC Fair to provide interested students with
information about studying in Germany.
Study in Europe Fair, 1st October, 10am5pm, Peninsula Hotel, 5 Coleman St,
Singapore 179805
After a very successful event in the past
years, the Study in Europe Fair is back. This
year the event will be held centrally at Pensinsula Hotel near City Hall. Come and find out
more about studying in Germany at the DAAD
booth, attend the DAAD presentation or chat
with German students as well as Singapore
students who have studied in Germany to get
some first hand information and insights!
The DAAD presentation will be held at 12:30.
Additional information is available at http://
ec.europa.eu/education/study-in-europe/
index_en.htm
Symposium on 1st and 2st November,
A*STAR, 9am both days
Together with TUM Asia and A*STAR, DAAD
is arranging a two-day Symposium.
The events will feature interesting presentations, discussions and talks with professionals, researchers and professors.
Detailed schedule, venue and sign up information will soon be posted on http://tumasia.edu.sg/events-and-conferences/ and
www.facebook.com/daad.singapore
newsletter >>>>>>
Page 4
DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue August | 2016
Watch
Study in Germany
Financing your studies
Videos of the Studyin.de campaign:
How safe is Germany?
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=9IBpI0eMuO0
Can you find German
friends? https://
www.youtube.com/
One of the major questions to answer before
embarking on studies abroad is how to
finance your studies. While most
programmes are tuition-free, living costs in
Germany can amount to approximately 800
Euros (1200 SGD) a month. Note that some
cities can be considerably more expensive
than others.
Find an average breakdown of costs and
expenses here: https://www.study-in.de/en/
plan-your-stay/money-and-costs/cost-ofliving_28220.php
watch?v=o0jaqyA-xfo
Student Life: German for
Beginners: https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=1gmhQHT6PHY
Student Life: How much
does it cost to live in
Germany? https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=F9h6W6jxq_0
WEBINARS
Webinar: Admission requirements for studying in
Germany: https://
Proof of Finance
Even before you come to Germany for your
studies, you will need to prove that you can
finance yourself during your stay. The
“Finanzierungsnachweis” requested for your
visa would usually come in the form of a
blocked bank account. You can find more
information here: https://www.study-in.de/
en/plan-your-studies/requirements/8000euros-for-one-year_27533.php
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=9n-Qx6TxJBo
Webinar: Single steps on
the way to a successful
application via uni-assist:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vJVYraZtRg8
uni-assist helps registered universities in assessing submitted certifi-
cates and applications for
university admission.
Part Time Jobs
Many German students study away from
their hometown and it is very common for
them to have a part-time job to help with
living costs. While some find jobs in the F&B
sector, another good opportunity is to find
positions at the university itself; working for
a professor, or helping with labs
(“studentische Hilfskraft”).
With the student visa you are allowed to
work 120 full or 240 half days.
Note that internships will count towards this
limit unless they are required for your
degree.
Read more about the details here: https://
www.study-in.de/en/plan-your-stay/job-andcareer/part-time-job_26928.php
Scholarships
The DAAD is the world’s largest funding
organisation for the international exchange of
students and researchers and offers a variety
of scholarships.
The DAAD offers scholarship programmes
targeted at German and international
students, graduates and researchers; university summer courses (German
language courses), research grants, study
scholarships for international graduates in
specific subjects, even study visits and
exchanges of academic.
Note that application deadlines are often very
early and the selection process is very
rigorous.
Further scholarships are available through
various other foundations, organisations and
research institutes.
You can search the DAAD database for
specific types of scholarships offered by the
DAAD and other funding organisations.
Information on application deadlines and how
to apply can also be found in the database:
www.funding-guide.de and a summary on our
website: http://ic.daad.de/singapore/
scholarships.html
If you have any further questions regarding
studying in Germany, feel free to email us or
schedule an appointment with us at our office
in Neil Road.
newsletter >>>>>>
Page 5
DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue August | 2016
At a Glance
Stories from Germany Khai Shing Chua - Goethe Institut Scholarship Holder
Interested to receive
Hi there, my name is Khai Shing and I was
We were inquisitive and it was interesting
granted a scholarship for a four-week language
knowing that we were bound together by our
course in Germany thanks to Goethe-Institut
passion for German. Naturally, there was the
Singapur!
cultural aspect of lessons where we got to visit
more information from the
interesting sites such as Chiemsee, the BMW
DAAD and about study-
factory and Neuschwanstein Castle! Munich is
ing in Germany?
simply beautiful, offering easy train rides to other
parts of Germany such as Dachau or Passau.
Subscribe to the selected
People say, you haven’t actually been to
social media sites and
Germany if you haven’t tried a “Biergarten” at
follow the most recent
least once! Here’s a photo at a renowned
updates.
Biergarten in Dachau that was on a hill, allowing
visitors a great view of Munich!
https://twitter.com/
DAAD_Germany
The DAAD Germany is
It was my first time in Germany and I was
on Twitter! Check out
extremely excited. To apply for the scholarship, I
@DAAD_Germany for
had to send in a personal essay along with my
latest updates and news!
particulars. Thereafter, I was thankfully
shortlisted to attend an interview about why I
https://
hoped to win the scholarship. I have been
www.facebook.com/
passionate about German ever since I took it as
study.in.germany
my third language in Secondary 1 and to be able
to finally have an opportunity to visit and explore
Follow interesting up-
Germany is a dream come true! It was a tough
dates on studying in Ger-
decision, but I eventually decided on Munich to
One other highlight that coincided with my trip
many on Facebook.
have the course as I did a project on it in
was the Euro Cup 2016, and it seemed all of
Secondary 2 where we had to give a virtual tour.
Germany gathered to watch (and support!) the
https://
Lessons were fun and interactive, and I forged
Germany matches. To sum it up, my trip to
www.facebook.com/
many new friendships which I won’t be forgetting
Germany was an amazing experience and I hope
Research.in.Germany
any time soon.
to return soon!
Are you a researcher or
scientist interested in
Research in Germany?
Find the latest updates
on the Research in Germany Facebook page.
https://
www.facebook.com/
dw.learngerman/
Brush up on some German terms with Deutsche
Welle.
Interested in learning German?
Check out the following links:
www.daad.de/sommerkurse
http://www.dw.com/en/learn-german/s-2469
newsletter >>>>>>
Page 6
DAAD, Information Centre Singapore, Issue August | 2016
Stories from Germany Christabel Fernandez - DAAD University Summer Course Scholarship Holder
This summer I had the opportunity to attend a German language course
at Humboldt-Universität in Berlin, thanks to a scholarship by DAAD in
Singapore. The course was entitled Deutsch Erleben and it consisted of
4 weeks of intensive language classes and excursions to different sites
all around Berlin. For me it was the perfect opportunity, given that I had
just finished the highest level of German language classes at NUS and
I felt ready and more confident to face some first-hand experiences
studying and living in Germany.
I must admit that initially it felt like I was thrown in at the deep end. I had signed up for a course that was taught completely in
German and at a level much higher than I had anticipated. I felt my fellow participants were much more fluent and advanced than I
was. Nonetheless, that gave me added motivation to brush up on my communication skills. Unlike my previous experiences in
Germany, I decided to make it a point to always begin conversations immediately ‚auf Deutsch‘. I find that (and this is a common
belief among non-native German speakers) that Germans are always more than eager to speak to foreigners in English! In any
case, I was there for a purpose and I tried my best not to be intimidated by native-German speakers.
The course itself consisted of 3 hours of language classes every day and an excursion
somewhere around Berlin. I feel extremely fortunate that DAAD gave me one of my
desired courses that I applied for in Berlin. One never tires of that amazing city!
Everyday was an adventure and the excursions chosen by the university made me fall in
love with the city even more! The first week’s trips were aimed at exposing us to German
culture and history. We visited some of the most famous museums in Berlin, such as the
Deutsches Historisches Museum and Topography of Terror. The following week was
focused on politics. We visited the Reichstag (where an extremely friendly Member of
Parliament stopped to speak with us!), the Political Archives and had the chance to
speak with a spokesperson from one of the political parties in the Bundestag. As a
Political Science major at university, I couldn’t have been more thrilled!! Of course, being in Germany during the Euro2016, we
made sure to catch all the important matches either at the Brandenburg Gate itself or at one of Berlin’s many amazing beer
gardens.
The four-week course proved so beneficial to me in deepening my passion and
interest for the German language. Our instructor exposed us to different forms of
German literature, theatre and film every class. I actually find reading Goethe less
intimidating after the course! Having students from all around the world in one class
learning a foreign language allowed many interesting cultural exchanges and
insights. As one can imagine (and as Mark Twain eloquently described), learning
German can be extremely frustrating sometimes given the never-ending list of
grammar rules, verb forms and sentence constructions. However, although we found
it challenging, it was also immensely enjoyable and rewarding especially with the
dedication and encouragement we had from our teacher.
Overall, the improvement that I feel in my language ability has given me the motivation to want to further my studies in Germany
after my Bachelors. Learning a new language is never easy but the rewards that it brings make the endeavour worthwhile and
certainly memorable. My journey learning German for the past 4 years has brought me to places I never imagined I could visit and
experience and exposed me to a whole new culture and society that I find so warm, friendly and inspiring. I would say picking up
German as a foreign language has been the most rewarding experience in my university life thus far and I am extremely grateful to
DAAD for this experience.