Dear Ekkehard-Stiftung,

I had a great year in Mannheim, with many great experiences. It was my first time doing school abroad, so it was a completely new experience for me. I did enjoy it very much – I found that all the people I had met were very friendly and open, and there was always a lot to see and do. It did take me a little while to get used to, since some of the customs and norms differ, primarily in terms of teaching and the academic structure/environment. However, I did adjust, and enjoyed myself very much. Over the past year, I have made many new friends, attended various school events and was able to experience the city itself (trying different restaurants, going to different clubs and going to the various city events). I am very happy that I chose to go to school in Germany and that I chose Universität Mannheim.

The scholarship I received was extremely helpful and I am very grateful that I received it. I am paying for my schooling alone, without any assistance, so any additional help was very beneficial. I am a double-degree student from Canada, and in Canada, tuition fees are extremely expensive, so taking that into consideration plus the plane tickets, and all other living costs, this scholarship was great in relieving my high expenses. It worked out perfectly in helping to pay for my monthly rent in Mannheim. By helping alleviate some of my costs, it in turn allowed me to experience Mannheim more freely, as well as other regions in Germany. I have always heard great things about Germany and how beautiful the country was, and upon arrival I was extremely excited to travel. Since the scholarship covered some of my costs, I was able to save money, see new places and meet new people around Germany. I visited many cities in Germany and attended many great festivals and carnivals that go on during the year. Above all, this scholarship helped me experience things that otherwise might not have been possible, and made my year abroad very exciting.

Thank you very much for the scholarship!

Regards,

Anja Heim