E.ON Ruhrgas-application - Peter Ringstad

The decision to apply for the Ruhrgas scholarship was an easy one. A semester in Berlin at either the Freie, Humboldt or Potsdam University and the ability to study at some of the best academic institutions in Europe would encapsulate my interests in a pe rfect way. It would be an unique opportunity for me to tap into the wealthy pool of knowledge that are the excellent public universities in Berlin, to evolve my knowledge of the German language, to get under the skin on what is my favorite city in Europe and to become familiar with the culture and political system in the probably most influential country in Europe. I already have a good basic knowledge in the German language by having studied it for six years of secondary and upper secondary school, as w ell as having lived a year with a Swiss-german family while studying at a Swiss "Kantonschule" in St.Gallen as an exchange student. A semester of studies at a higher education level in Germany would allow me to further improve my language skills, especial ly in writing. In addition to this, I'm very attracted by the prospect of being able to live in Berlin. It is the city in Europe I travel to most often, two times in only the last twelve months, because I think it is the most interesting city in Europe when it comes to Art, Music and a just generally a vibrant and creative cultural and social atmosphere. As if that wasn't enough, the public universities of Berlin has so much to offer at an academic level. I think good public universities are a very im portant part of a participatory and active democracy and as a provider of social mobility. My familiy certainly owes alot to the opportunity of free higher education. Both my parents came from rather poor families but were able to get good and free univer sity education as an architect and school advisor. The opportunity to take courses at some of the best public universities in Europe is very attractive to me.