Advice Column

With this Advice column, we want to give you the opportunity to provide your fellow scholarship holders directly with advice or important information regarding your studies, experiences or life in Heidelberg – it is a column by students for students. This time, it is Sercan who wanted to address a couple of words to you.

Dear Hans-Peter Wild Talent Scholarship Holders, 

Congratulations! You made it; you receive an extremely competitive and prestigious scholarship. Your achievements are commendable, and you should be proud of yourselves. 

I am Sercan. As a senior Master's student in the Molecular Biosciences program, I'm delighted to share some insights and advice to help you navigate your exciting journey in Heidelberg.  

First of all, enjoy Heidelberg and around! My favorite place around Heidelberg is Schwetzingen Castle – just chilling in its huge garden is so peaceful. Additionally, Heidelberg's strategic location gives exciting opportunities for exploration. Although Heidelberg is relatively small, it is a 1-hour train ride from three major cities: Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe. If Germany is not enough for you, you are surrounded by 4 airports; you can always find affordable tickets from at least one of them. Even with the train rides, you can do day trips inside Germany and to Switzerland and France. Remember, a healthy balance between academic focus and enjoying the outside life is crucial for a fulfilling and enriching experience. Embrace the opportunity to discover new places and cultures, as it can enhance your productivity and prevent burnout.

My second part of advice is for international students who require a residence permit to study. First of all, acknowledge that you may (you will) have quite a few bureaucratic challenges, but that’s okay; it’s part of personal growth. What I suggest in order to be minimally affected by these challenges is to call people whenever you have a problem rather than to email them. If they don’t speak English, ask your German-speaking friend to call them. This is the fastest way to solve your problems. Regarding the residence permit, the extension takes a lot of time. Prepare your documents in advance. If you financially rely on the HPW Scholarship, waiting for the decision on scholarship extension might make you late, so try sending your documents beforehand without the scholarship confirmation and let them know you will send the scholarship document as soon as you have it. My suggestion is that as soon as you send your complete documents, ask if you are eligible to get a Fiktionsbescheinigung, which will allow you to travel internationally while your residence permit extension is being processed. 

I hope this information proves helpful. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding my suggestions or any aspect of your Heidelberg experience. I wish you all a successful, enriching, and unforgettable academic journey in this beautiful city. 

Sincerely, 
Sercan