“There’s still a lot of potential”

Ms. Shifferman, what was the deciding factor in opening the DAAD Information Centre in Tel Aviv in March 2014?

The opening of the Tel Aviv office takes account of the fact that we have more intense academic relations with Israel than with any other country in the region. We also want to provide targeted support for the strong mobility of Israeli students, who have now discovered Germany as a “top destination”. In our view, detailed advice in the country of origin is one of the main prerequisites for a successful period of study abroad.

How well are your services being received – and who comes to you?

Since the opening we have been offering monthly information events at the Tel Aviv Goethe-Institut on the theme of “Studying in Germany”, focusing on different points. These are complemented by advisory services at the Information Centre, which have attracted a great deal of interest from young Israelis who are still doing military service, undergrad­uate and doctoral students and junior researchers. In addition to this, the office takes part in the international days organised by Israeli universities, when it provides information on study programmes and scholarship opportunities. Different kinds of events are planned over the coming months.

According to an OECD study, almost one tenth of the Israelis who decide to study abroad opt for Germany. Is there still 
potential for growth?

Many Israelis are completely surprised to discover at their first meeting that, as a rule, there are no tuition fees in Germany. This is the reason why many consider beginning or continuing their studies in Germany. I think it is important to reach those people who want to study but would never consider studying abroad because of their financial situation and, in extreme cases, would first have to work for a couple of years in their home country before being able to afford to study at all. The potential for growth here is by no means exhausted.

Berlin is a magnet for many people. Does the German higher education landscape outside the capital city offer advantages that might be of particular interest to 
Israelis?

Berlin certainly kindles interest in Germany among many people and can often be described as a first point of contact. However, Germany also has many other important centres of higher education outside Berlin – and here too the IC can do important “educational work”. Ultimately, it is the low living costs, compared to Israel, and the comparatively short travel distances compared to other potential study locations which make studying in Germany so attractive – be it in Berlin or in a relatively small university town.

Are there particular combinations of subjects or disciplines in which you can see particularly good opportunities for German-Israeli student exchange?

Medicine, natural sciences and language and cultural studies are of great interest. Furthermore, artistic subjects should not be neglected – there is great potential for exchange here that needs to be tapped in future.

How big an interest do Germans have in studying or doing research in Israel?

Israel is the only country in the Middle East/Africa region with which exchange is largely balanced. One can certainly speak of a great interest on the part 
of German students. This is evident, for example, in the number of people supported by the DAAD in recent years: in 2009, scholarships for Israel were granted to 249 Germans; in 2012, the total was 367. Many Germans are particularly interested in Master’s degree courses in the social sciences and psychology, but arts subjects also play a role.

Another significant part of your work is academic collaboration with partners in Israel. Where would you like to see new points of emphasis?

Israeli universities are equal partners for German universities and research institutes. Basically, cooperation is interesting in all subjects, although currently the humanities and social sciences are predominant. So I believe that we have the most potential for growth in the natural sciences and engineering. I would be very happy if the Tel Aviv IC were able to make a contribution to “match-making” here.

What are your personal links with Israel?

I first came to Israel at the age of 16 in the context of a school exchange. In the following years, the country and its people took a real hold on me. I made many private trips, and also took part in a summer university in Beer Sheva as well as completing an internship with a political foundation. During a research stay for my Master’s degree I got to know my future husband in Tel Aviv and moved to Israel in 2008. Having experienced German-
Israeli exchange for years now on an almost daily basis, I am delighted to be able to contribute professionally to that exchange in the course of my work at the Tel Aviv Information Centre.

Interview: Janet Schayan