DAAD scholarship holder Kateryna Shevchuk: ‘Germany is a dream destination, but getting there is not always easy’

What did you study at the Free University of Berlin, and what was the subject of your Master’s thesis?

Journalism and Communication. I specialised in international communication, researching the digital public diplomacy of Ukraine’s mission in Germany.

What was the inspiration behind your decision to pursue your studies in Germany, and how did you come to learn about the DAAD scholarships?

Germany has been my dream destination ever since I was a child. I attended a school offering the DSD programme, which focused in depth on German. This introduced me to the language and German culture from a young age. I first heard about the DAAD while I was still at school. While studying at university, I developed a keen interest in support programmes, particularly thanks to the outreach work carried out by DAAD Ukraine.

How did you decide which universities to apply to for a scholarship?

When making my choice, I focused primarily on leading German universities, i.e. those that rank highly in national and international rankings, particularly the Universities of Excellence. At the same time, I considered the extent to which my field of study was represented there. It was important to me that the Master’s programme would build on the path I had chosen while studying for my Bachelor’s degree at a Ukrainian university.

“I still remember an advert on the Underground that read, ‘Education is your ticket to your goal.’ It’s true.”

Did you find anything about the structure of the German education system different from the Ukrainian system? What did you like most about it?

There were so many new things. Take the timetable, for example. Classes could start as early as 8 am or as late as 4 pm, which is quite unusual for Ukrainian universities. Student life itself was different, too: in Germany, there are virtually no ‘fellow students’ as we know them. People who start their studies at the same time rarely cross paths afterwards, as everyone plans their own study path independently. The independent choice of modules was also a new experience for me. But I’m glad I got to experience both the Ukrainian and German student communities. They’re both wonderful in their own way!

In Germany, I was impressed by the rigour and discipline of the approach to studying: if you’re on a Master’s programme, you’re expected to be fully committed. A thorough academic commitment. You expect that of yourself, too.

I really liked the library culture.

But what appealed to me most was the importance that Germany attaches to education in general. I still remember an advert on the Underground that read, ‘Education is your ticket to your goal.’ It’s true.

Яке Ваше улюблене місце в Берліні?

Набережна біля німецького парламенту: Шпреє, та сама красива архітектура зі шкільного підручника німецької мови і мрія дитинства.

Could you explain your reasons for returning to Ukraine after studying and working in Germany for several years?

When Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, my roots called me back. I felt that I needed to be in Ukraine right now and wanted to make a difference.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning their journey to Germany?

Germany is a dream destination, but it’s a demanding one. The path to achieving it isn’t always straightforward. The most important advice is to never accept rejection or be told ‘it’s impossible’. For example, years ago, lots of people told me that getting a DAAD scholarship was practically impossible. But it turned out that anything is possible. Don’t let someone else’s ‘no’ stop you from achieving your dreams. Sometimes, you just have to keep going. And keep dreaming!