German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service engages in supporting German and international students, scholars and scientists all around the globe.
Since its foundation in 1925, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has supported more than 1.9 million academics in Germany and all over the world. Being an association, it is carried by the German universities and student bodies. Its purpose exceeds far beyond giving out scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service promotes globalisation of the German universities, reinforces German studies and German language skills abroad, assists developing countries in establishing effective universities and advises decision makers on matters of education, foreign science and development policy.
Its budget is derived mainly from the federal funding for various ministries, primarily the German Federal Foreign Office, but also from the European Union and a number of enterprises, organisations and foreign governments. The headquarters are located in Bonn. However, the German Academic Exchange Service also has an office in the capital Berlin including its artist programme. A network of branch offices and information centres establishes and cultivates lasting contacts with key partner countries on all continents, and provides advice on site.
Including the EU programmes, in 2014, the German Academic Exchange Service has benefited more than 120,000 people around the globe. The offer repertoire ranges from a year abroad for young students to doctoral studies, from apprenticeship to visiting scholars, from an informational visit to setting up universities abroad.
The German Academic Exchange Service is the largest German funding agency for cross-border cooperation between universities.
Tasks for volunteers
kulturweit volunteers assist the German Academic Exchange Service branch offices and information centres from Buenos Aires to Bischkek. They consult students about opportunities to move their studies to Germany, solicit at fairs and informational events for programmes offered by the German Academic Exchange Service and reinforce the public relations of their respective assignment location.
Administrative tasks, research work or assisting during workshops are among the common jobs, which can vary depending on the requirements of the respective assignment location.
Volunteers support the German Academic Exchange Service with its public relations and campaigns for higher education in Germany.