Caution! This blog is written for readers from Bangladesh. If you're from another part of the world, you're welcome to read it—but you may find some of the context difficult to understand.
Currently, due to complications with the waiting period, many people are feeling anxious about starting their studies in Germany. While discussing possible solutions, I previously talked about the DAAD Scholarship and wrote two blog posts on the topic. Many of you have read them and have likely given it some thought.
A new DAAD Scholarship circular is expected around June. I hope that, despite the recent budget adjustments at DAAD, the number of scholarships for EPOS candidates will not decrease. In fact, with increased awareness, the number of recipients from Bangladesh could even rise.
In today’s blog, I won’t go over the overall DAAD scholarship again, as I’ve already shared all the necessary information in my previous posts. If you haven’t read them yet, feel free to check them out here:
My DAAD Scholarship Journey and How You Can Move Forward If You Want to Get DAAD: https://blog.asek.info/2025/02/daad-scholarship-daad.html
Answers to All Your Questions About the DAAD Scholarship: https://blog.asek.info/2025/02/daad-scholarship-questions.html
Hopefully, these will answer all your questions about the application process and more.
Today’s post is mainly about the program I’m currently pursuing under the DAAD scholarship.
I came to Germany last August with a DAAD scholarship. I spent the first two months in Berlin, where I took a compulsory German language course — something most DAAD scholars are required to complete.
After that, I moved to the city of Greifswald. I’ve already completed my first semester here, and the remaining three semesters of my Master’s will also be at this university. Although I had a rough idea of the curriculum before applying, completing a semester has given me a much deeper understanding of the program — which might help you see how it could align with your own life goals.
I am currently studying for a Master’s degree in Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation at the University of Greifswald. From the name, you can probably tell it’s a transdisciplinary subject — meaning it combines knowledge from various fields.
So, what kind of subjects are involved? Simply put, the program focuses on environmental and ecological topics from a landscape perspective. It also includes areas like ethics and economics. Why? Because if you want to implement any kind of environmental plan — even something like forest management — you can’t ignore the economic and social dimensions. To make sound, practical decisions, you need a well-rounded understanding of those areas too. That’s one of the core goals of this Master’s program: to integrate diverse areas of knowledge and prepare you to apply them in real-world scenarios.
This is primarily a research-oriented Master’s. If you study here, you’ll learn how to solve various problems in landscape ecology, build models, and understand the ideologies and processes of nature conservation from multiple perspectives.
Graduates from this program typically work in national and international research sectors related to nature conservation. There are many organizations actively working in this field where you can find exciting opportunities. Landscape ecologists are also in demand in development agencies, which opens up even more career paths. And of course, pursuing a PhD afterward is always an option.
So, who can apply? If you’ve completed a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Ecology, Biology, or if your background is in Agriculture or Forestry-related subjects, you’re eligible. That doesn’t mean your degree title has to match exactly. Among the people studying here with me from various countries, some come from Environmental Science, Biology, Forestry, and Microbiology — I myself come from a Zoology background. So as long as your subject is related, there’s no issue. In fact, in special cases, they even allow students from other fields. I know two people from IT backgrounds, and Mahin — a Bangladeshi student — came from an Architecture background. So, if your motivation is strong and you can demonstrate relevant experience, you can definitely get a chance.
Now, let me share some of my experiences over the past six months. In this first semester, I completed several modules related to my program — many of which were completely new to me. But it wasn’t overwhelmingly difficult. In terms of workload, all my fellow DAAD colleagues have said that the first semester didn’t feel unmanageable for anyone. I’m especially excited about my summer semester because it includes many animal-related modules, which I expect to enjoy even more.
For your convenience, let me mention that every semester offers a wide range of modules, and you can choose the ones you like, as long as you meet the required total credits by the end of the program. So, if you’re from a Biology or Environmental background, there’s no reason to feel out of place.
Now, about additional opportunities at the University of Greifswald — this university is one of the best for Peatland Studies. So, if you’re looking to build a career in that field, both this subject and university should be on your priority list.
A bit about the university itself: The University of Greifswald is one of the oldest universities in Germany, established in 1456. It is also one of the oldest universities in the Baltic region. Since it was once under Swedish rule, it’s sometimes even referred to as Sweden’s oldest university. A three-hour journey from Berlin will bring you to this city and university. I mention the city and university together because the university buildings are spread all across the city. It’s a beautiful, green town, with the River Ryck flowing through it, eventually meeting the Greifswalder Sea. Near the sea are the Eldena Forest and the ruins of the old Eldena Abbey! There are also countless protected natural sites, making the city feel tailor-made for studying Landscape Ecology. Not far from here are Country, Poland, and Island Rügen — one of Germany’s most beautiful Baltic Sea islands. You can even take a ferry to Sweden from here!
Lastly, if you receive the DAAD scholarship, you won’t have to worry about accommodation, and it’s fairly easy to find part-time jobs at the university. Each year, student dormitories reserve a certain number of spots specifically for DAAD applicants, which really helps reduce stress.
That’s it for today’s blog! I hope my experiences and information about the DAAD Scholarship and the University of Greifswald will be helpful to you. If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to comment.
Sending best wishes from Greifswald, Germany! May your DAAD journey be joyful and successful.
Post a Comment