“I Found My Perfect Match”: Reflections from a DAAD Alumnus
In this article, Žilvinas Švedkauskas, a successful DAAD alumnus, reveals how studying in Germany and the CMEPS programme at Tübingen blended academic excellence with valuable international experiences – including a unique stay in Egypt. From hiking Tübingen’s scenic hills to building networks that influence his career today, his story shows how DAAD opens doors to lasting growth and global connections.
We invite you to read further and discover how Žilvinas’s story exemplifies the life-changing opportunities that DAAD and studying in Germany can offer.
Žilvinas Švedkauskas leads OSMOS, a Vilnius-based think-and-do tank, building mutually beneficial digital connections between the Baltics and like-minded partner countries around the world, including but not limited to Nigeria, Kenya, Armenia and Iraq.
Žilvinas is also a Researcher at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University. He defended his Ph.D. at Tübingen University in 2024, where he also received his M.A. in „Comparative & Middle East Politics and Society (CMEPS)“. His research focus spans democratization, constitutional politics, and digitalization. Žilvinas has published well-received articles and policy pieces with outlets such as Freedom House, the Washington Post, and Alternatives.
What motivated you to study in Germany and apply for a DAAD scholarship?
I found my perfect match. Having received invitation letters from London, Edinburgh and Lund, I opted for Tübingen and the CMEPS programme, because I wanted to specialize in the politics of the region and found the opportunity to also live and study in Egypt truly unique. DAAD offered an ideal soft-landing platform, including intense German language courses, continuous financial support and a community of peers from around the world. In short, I am still convinced that I got the best “value for money” during my M.A. years.
How did academic or non-academic activities enrich your time as a student in Germany?
Rolling hills surrounding Tübingen and its mixture of historical charm and youthful energy provided a perfect setting for my studies. I picked up hiking, learned a decent amount of German and explored the region and the country during many weekend Ausflüge.
I guess, the fact that I stayed in Tübingen to do my Ph.D. is the best proof that my academic expectations were more than met. Tübingen University really became a bridge that still connects me with the top political scientists and Middle East experts globally, not to mention the sharp and witty minds that mentored and helped me grow at the Institute of Political Science.
Were there any particular challenges during your studies in Germany – and how did you deal with them?
I will not surprise anyone by saying that finding a place to live was the biggest challenge. I ended up staying in a village 25-minute-train-ride-away from Tübingen. On the flip side, this gave me access to the beautiful countryside framed by the Hohenzollern castle and an uncensored sneak peak at the Swabian way of life. I even ended up playing basketball for the local basketball team. A real work-life balance.
Which contacts or networks you established in Germany are particularly important to you today?
My time in Germany offered theoretical and empirical insights to succeed not only in academia, but also in the think tank world, civil society, and international institutions. Not to mention a close circle of like-minded coursemates, whom I am happy to call friends and colleagues to this day. These networks are now crucial in my everyday work in Lithuania, as I am trying to apply the lessons learned in my own research, teaching and policy work, aiming to bring the emerging world regions in every sense closer to home.
