Combining study and commitment with the Deutschlandstipendium

20-year-old Annika Bertsch knew early on that she wanted to work with people professionally and make a contribution to society. It was therefore not difficult for her to choose her degree program: she is currently studying psychology at RPTU. In her private life, voluntary work is important to her. Thanks to the support of the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, she is able to combine her studies and commitment more easily. The scholarship not only offers her financial relief, but also time and freedom to develop personally.

Annika has been involved in voluntary work since she was a child: "Alongside my studies, I work as an ambassador for Volunta, an organization that organizes and supports voluntary services in Germany and abroad. In this role, I motivate young people to decide to do voluntary service. In addition, I recently became involved as a student chairwoman of the Friends of RPTU in Landau e.V., where I represent student perspectives and support cooperation between the university and the city."

She did an internship in a workshop for the disabled while she was still at school, completed a voluntary social year on a cardiology ward after her Abitur - and has been involved in the church since she was little. During her FSJ in particular, she realized the role that psychological factors play: "I noticed every day how much fear, hope and stress shape the way we experience and deal with illness, and I also realized how important it is to listen and support." The experiences she gained during her FSJ and her internship strengthened her interest in psychology and ultimately led to her current choice of study: "Psychology is about human thinking, feeling and acting as well as about understanding human experience in a scientifically sound way and applying the knowledge gained from this in a practical way, for example to help people in difficult life situations."

Broad base thanks to diverse specialization options

When it came to choosing a suitable university, she opted for RPTU in Landau. There were several reasons for this, she explains: "Among other things, I made sure that it was an accredited degree program that had been awarded the quality seal of the German Society for Psychology, DGPs." This means that the degree program in Landau, as in some other cities, follows the recommendations of the DGPs in terms of structure and content. And this in turn benefits the scientific nature and research orientation.

The wide range of specializations at RPTU was also an important argument for Annika: "I'm particularly interested in clinical psychology and psychotherapy. At the same time, I find it exciting that the course also offers insights into other areas such as educational psychology, business psychology and communication and media psychology. I really like this diversity because it opens up different perspectives and makes many career paths visible." For example, in research, clinical psychology, work, industrial and organizational psychology, educational psychology and communication and media psychology. However, it was not only the professional quality, but also the environment that contributed to her decision: "I looked at various cities before my studies and Landau was the first city where I thought: I can feel comfortable here, learn well and also develop personally."

Deutschlandstipendium: time for commitment through financial freedom

Annika became aware of the Deutschlandstipendium through her sister, who is a scholarship holder herself: "She told me about the many events she attended, the valuable networking opportunities it offered her and, of course, the financial relief," says Annika. That sounded so good that she decided to apply too: "I thought to myself that I had nothing to lose."

The written application was followed by a selection interview, but it didn't feel like a typical job interview, she explains: "It was more of a personal meeting. A selection committee asked me questions about current issues, my career to date and my values. After all, it has to be a good fit for both sides."

"It was more of a personal meeting. A selection committee asked me questions about current topics, my career to date and my values. After all, it has to be a good fit for both sides," says Annika Bertsch about her selection interview for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.

And it did - just in time for the start of her studies, she received a firm commitment for her scholarship and shortly afterwards got to know her sponsors, the Freundeskreis der RPTU Landau e.V., at a first meeting: "It was a very pleasant and open atmosphere, very familiar and warm. I had interesting conversations with the sponsors, but also with other scholarship holders."

"It's not just about perfect CVs"

"The scholarship is particularly suitable for people who want to get involved and help shape things - be it on student committees, in associations such as the Friends of the University, in working groups or in the urban environment." It's a mixture, she says, that requires a willingness to perform, but also a willingness to get involved: "It's not just about perfect CVs, but also about attitude or a willingness to network."

As part of the Deutschlandstipendium, Annika regularly attends meetings or lectures and does not see this as a mere obligation, but as a natural part of the funding and an expression of her responsibility towards the sponsors and society: "Our sponsors not only invest money in us, but also trust in us. It's good to exchange ideas regularly, keep in touch and make good use of the time you gain from the financial relief."