Congratulations once again on winning the Deutschlandstipendium, Ms. Laux. What was your first thought when you got the news that you had received it?
To be honest, I was totally perplexed. I didn't expect (anymore) that I, of all people, would receive the Deutschlandstipendium. After the initial shock, however, I was very happy because I can use the financial support from the scholarship very well for my Erasmus semester abroad in Norway.
How did you find out about the Deutschlandstipendium and what made you apply for it?
I became aware of the scholarship and this year's application process through the stories of Mr. Elsner (Media University Berlin) and the Media University's circular email. I then talked to friends about it and found out that two of them had already received the scholarship. That encouraged me to also have a chance at the Deutschlandstipendium and to submit the application documents.
What did your letter of motivation say?
After completely revising the motivation letter several times, because at the beginning I only wrote things that I thought the funding would want to hear, I ended up with myself. I introduced myself to the promotion as I am. I told them what I have accomplished and learned in my life so far, where I want to go when I grow up, what currently drives me, and how I will apply this to my future life. I also openly explained how I plan to use the money provided by the grant to get to this very personal goal. I think transparency and honesty play a very important role here.
What advice would you give to future applicants?
Please apply! Be open, creative and simply be yourself. Don't try to be someone you think others want you to be. Your uniqueness is far more convincing and makes you interesting. Tell them who you are, what drives you, what you want to achieve in the near and distant future, and how the scholarship can support you in this. Because the Deutschlandstipendium offers much more than just financial support! The application process alone showed me once again how important it is to stay true to myself and - that honesty wins out at the end of the day.
Thank you very much for the interview. We wish you all the best and much success for the future!