»I stand for interculturalism and integration«

Hailing from Ireland, Darragh Donnellan has been studying Political Science and Intercultural Business Communication at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena since 2021. “I first came to Jena in March 2021, and I can say without hesitation that it has become my second home,” says the award winner. He particularly appreciates the university’s openness and tolerance, and the opportunity to engage with an international community.

In its statement, the jury said that Darragh Donnellan impressed them with both his excellent academic performance and his committed advocacy for cosmopolitanism and intercultural encounters. He is a mentor in the Welcome Buddy Programme at the International Office of the University of Jena and a resident tutor at the Emil-Wölk-Straße student residence. He helps other international students settle in Jena, from handing over the keys to their dorm rooms to registering with various authorities. As a member of the ‘Together in Jena’ group, he organises hikes, movie nights and philosophical discussion groups. Additionally, he supports the »Café International« event series »Länderabende« (country evenings) as an international scout for the Thuringia Student Services Association.

Donnellan also approaches questions of integration and interculturality from an academic perspective: in his Bachelor’s dissertation, he examines the role of urban campaigns such as »Weltoffenes Thüringen« in Jena’s local politics. Dr Christoph Vatter, Donnellan’s professor of Intercultural Business Communication, praised the prizewinner, describing him as »an extraordinarily committed, reflective and interculturally adept student who makes a decisive contribution to turning the course itself into a productive place of intercultural exchange«. Vatter went on to describe the DAAD prizewinner as a »genuine bridge builder between cultures — both within the university and beyond«. Donnellan embodies the values that the DAAD prize represents: academic excellence, social commitment and intercultural competence.

Donnellan is delighted to receive the award, seeing it as recognition of his four years of commitment. His advice for students who want to get involved in intercultural activities is to: »Leave your comfort zone occasionally« and »meet people outside your own bubble«. When talking to people from different cultures, it is important to focus on the similarities rather than the differences.

You can find more information about the DAAD Prize here de.