I knew about the program through others at my university who had the same scholarship. Until the very end, I had serious doubts about whether I was even suitable - and wrongly so. That's why I spend my free time making sure that even those students who don't think at first glance that this is exactly what they're looking for are aware of the program.

My professors were very helpful in preparing the mandatory letters of recommendation. I am extremely grateful for this support.

At the time of my application, I was student parliament president at a smaller university in Hamburg and also active in the student council. When I was at school, I was on the student council and a soccer referee. The latter in particular met with great interest during the interviews because you are exposed to conflictual situations.

The financial backing of the scholarship also made me feel more secure in other areas of my life. I did a semester in the USA through the TU Dortmund's overseas program. Without the support of the scholarship, I would certainly have had to think a few times more about whether I could do it.

I would like to work at the interface between politics and administration, preferably in state or federal ministries; I am a spatial planner. During my fellowship, I was able to attend a seminar on this area, which was very helpful.

Belonging to a strong community where you can create things like seminars and more in solidarity - "ideal promotion" - and also great personal freedoms.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) offers a wide range of seminars. Here you meet like-minded people who stimulate you and with whom you can network in an interdisciplinary way. The FES also attaches great importance to the promotion of foreign countries.

Be brave! Think carefully and talk about yourself with friends - you have more strengths than you might think.

I previously received the BAföG maximum rate, which in itself is also quite a fortunate situation. In addition, I have always worked part-time since semester 1.