Studying under normal conditions can be challenging – under the current circumstances in the Gaza Strip, it becomes a daily ordeal. For many students, however, academic education is more than just a degree: it provides stability and opens up opportunities for the future. With its In-Country Programme Palestinian Territories, the DAAD also supports students who are enrolled at universities in Gaza and are currently continuing their studies online. Three scholarship holders report on their everyday student life.

 

 

"My decision to study disaster and crisis management arose from a desire to respond to the challenges facing Palestinian society. It is also closely linked to my personal experiences in Gaza – with the consequences of inadequate preparedness and the collapse of civil infrastructure. Before the war, I studied civil engineering, focusing primarily on physical infrastructure and technical systems. In this context, I became increasingly aware that technical solutions alone are not enough to understand or effectively address the complex effects of crises. Disasters are not just the destruction of buildings or utilities: they affect social structures, economic foundations and political conditions. 

I am currently living in Gaza City again, where the situation remains unstable. Since the beginning of the war, I have been forced to flee several times within the Gaza Strip, from north to south and back again. During this time, I have lost close family members, including two brothers; my mother and I were also injured. These losses shape my everyday life, as does the ongoing lack of security, reliable supplies and stable living conditions. Under these circumstances, education is not something I take for granted, but rather a conscious decision to hold on to a future perspective despite all adversities.

In this situation in particular, the DAAD scholarship is essential for me to continue my studies: I can continue to focus on my education and acquire knowledge that will be relevant in the long term for rebuilding and strengthening local structures. It also helps me to know that education and academic work are recognised as meaningful and necessary even in such a situation."

 

 

"When the war began in October 2023, the Islamic University in Gaza was one of the first institutions to be destroyed. For me, it felt as if a part of my life had been wiped out. I had studied, worked and planned my future in those buildings. At first, I was afraid that the destruction of the university would also mean an abrupt end to my academic education – I had just received a DAAD scholarship for my Master's degree in Information Technology.

I have been living in Cairo since May 2024. From here, I am continuing my studies online. I also teach digitally at two universities in Gaza. My everyday life is organised entirely virtually: lectures are uploaded, assignments are submitted online, and questions are answered by email or messenger. I miss the personal interaction; learning is often lonely and much more demanding than face-to-face teaching. Nevertheless, online study is an important sign of optimism for me – it means I can continue my academic career. The DAAD scholarship plays a central role in this: a master's degree is associated with high costs that I would hardly have been able to bear without this support; the scholarship gives me financial security.

In the long term, I would like to help build structures that open up career opportunities and prospects for young people – especially in an environment where educational pathways are repeatedly interrupted. Information technology plays a key role for me in this: it opens up digital work opportunities, facilitates access to knowledge and can make an important contribution to future development and reconstruction processes."

 

 

"I currently live in the Gaza Strip, in the Al-Mawasi area, after being displaced several times since May 2024. My everyday life is characterised by uncertainty and deprivation – of food, clean water, electricity, reliable internet and medical care. The loss of family members has made this situation even more difficult. Studying under these conditions is extremely difficult, but at the same time, my studies give me stability and direction.

Even before the war, I was interested in how nutrition, health and healing processes are connected. Since the beginning of the current situation, I have seen first-hand how malnutrition affects the injured, the chronically ill, children and women, and further exacerbates existing health problems. These experiences have given my field of study, clinical nutrition, additional meaning. In the future, I would like to use my knowledge to contribute to improving healthcare in hospitals, humanitarian projects or research.

The DAAD In-Country Scholarship enables me to continue my studies online. The destruction of many universities has fundamentally changed everyday student life: learning spaces, libraries and direct exchange with teachers have largely disappeared, studies are delayed and degrees are uncertain. Virtual lectures, assignments and exams create a certain continuity, but require a functioning internet connection, which is often lacking where I am staying. In order to participate, I had to temporarily move to areas with better connectivity. Studying online requires a lot of self-discipline and adaptability, but it shows me that continuing academic education is possible even under these conditions."

Christina Pfänder (24 February 2026)