The tenth anniversary of the PROMOS programme could not be celebrated last year as a result of the pandemic, so the DAAD relied on alternative formats to confer honours. »We are delighted that the 111.111. PROMOS scholarship holder is a Bauhaus-Universität Weimar student, and that we were able to host the ceremony«, explains Andrea Weber, who is responsible for the awarding of PROMOS scholarships at the university. »The PROMOS programme is one of the best formats for providing students with individual support whilst on a stay abroad. It is something we truly appreciate!«

Carmen Draxler applied for an exchange place in Canada and was selected to spend a semester at Concordia University in Montreal. »In the late summer of 2020, despite the uncertain global situation I packed my bag and travelled to Canada«, the budding graphic designer writes. »By mid-November it had become clear that the winter semester would also take place entirely online, so I actually internally wrote off the semester somewhat. But despite the physical distance and online teaching, I quickly got to know my fellow students very well. I even forged some friendships via the group work.«

Carmen Draxler was able to cover the relatively high cost of living in Canada thanks to the PROMOS scholarship: »I applied to the university’s International Office for funding for my stay abroad, and was successful with a relatively simple application process. As well as the monthly instalments, I also received a grant for my travel costs. This of course meant that I could focus on my studies with much less stress.«

»Studying abroad during a global pandemic showed me that design is a relatively flexible, adaptable field of study. For me, planning and organising an exchange semester significantly boosted my independence. It is a fantastic opportunity for international networking, and to critically reflect on your own creative work and set it within a wider context. I found discussions with the people around me particularly rewarding and enjoyed listening to their stories. I learned a lot about local customs and viewpoints – intercultural learning that was an unbelievably educational experience«, Carmen Draxler summarises.

The core of the PROMOS programme, namely promoting student mobility, was once again highlighted at the award ceremony: DAAD Vice-President Muriel Helbig presented an e-bike to the scholarship holder. The DAAD has now produced a corresponding online report entitled »PROMOS bewegt!« (PROMOS inspires!). Carmen Draxler also reports on her experiences abroad at https://pageflow.daad.de/promos-bewegt-122.

About the PROMOS programme:
The PROMOS programme was established in 2010 to enable German universities to independently award scholarships to their students for stays abroad for a period of up to six months, in accordance with the guidelines. The aim of the programme is to support the university’s own internationalisation strategy and to boost the mobility of students and doctoral candidates at German universities. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has been involved in the programme since it began, and for the current year 2021 has made the remarkable sum of 120,000 euros available. The DAAD supports the PROMOS programme using Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds.

Scholarship applications are open to Bauhaus-Universität Weimar students who are planning a period of study at one of its partner universities or an internship outside of Europe, or who are organising their own period of study abroad as a »free mover«. Application deadlines are twice a year (by December 2021 for January to June 2022, or by early May 2022 for July to December 2022). Full details of PROMOS can be found at: www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/international/for-students-going-abroad/study-abroad/funding/promos/

The application phase for an exchange place at one of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s partner universities for the coming 2022/2023 academic year begins on 1 November and ends on 13 December 2021. The International Office has further information about studies abroad: www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/international/for-students-going-abroad/study-abroad/

For more information about the PROMOS programme, other scholarships and internships or for detailed advice, please contact:

Andrea Weber
Scholarships | Internships
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
International Office | Campus.Office
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 15 | R. 106
Tel: +49 (0) 36 43/58 23 61
Email: andrea.weber[at]uni-weimar.de