Student Siravit Puengyangyuen receives DAAD Prize

Siravit Puengyangyuen is studying Logistics Engineering and Management at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. He is committed to helping students who, like him, are taking part in the German-Thai double degree programme. For his commitment, he has received the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) prize, which honours foreign students at German universities for their social commitment and exceptional achievements.

31.1 to 33.7 degrees - that's the average annual temperature in Thailand. Siravit Puengyangyuen came to wet and cold Bremerhaven in autumn 2020, the warmest time of the year there. His reason for moving to Bremerhaven: "When Prof. Dr. Dr. Gerhard Feldmeier presented the programme for a double degree Bachelor's degree at the university in Bangkok, I noticed that I had almost all the requirements for it. I only had to provide proof of my English language skills," says the Bremerhaven student. He had already studied International Trade and Business Logistics in Thailand. He continued his studies in Bremerhaven, first with a double degree and then with a Master's degree in Logistics. 

The double degree programme: two degrees and twice as much work?

In order to obtain degrees from both universities with one degree programme, one academic year must be successfully spent at the partner university and the thesis must be assessed by supervisors from both universities: hence the name double degree. Prof Dr Dr Gerhard Feldmeier teaches Economics and International Management at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and supervised the student's Bachelor's thesis. He emphasises his special commitment during the coronavirus pandemic: "The strength of will shown by Mr Puengyangyuen and his high motivation to study helped him to complete his double degree despite the online teaching."

"The award shows that I'm going in the right direction"

Every year, the prizewinner helps the newcomers to the double degree programme with their arrival in Bremerhaven: "I know the feeling that everything is new when you arrive in Bremerhaven. After I arrived, I had already been learning German for eight months and was able to use my language skills to help the students with their arrival in Germany." At offices, authorities and health insurance companies, important documents are only available in German, not English. That's why he had to find his own way around at first. Today, he can help the Thai students.

He has now been honoured with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) prize for his commitment. The prize is awarded to foreign students for special academic achievements and intercultural commitment. He is moved by the fact that he has been honoured: "I am proud of myself and very grateful for my studies at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and at the Thai university. I would also like to thank my parents for recognising my path. The prize shows that I am going in the right direction."

Bremerhaven host family helped Siravit Puengyangyuen get started in the seaside city

Once he arrived in Bremerhaven, he managed to settle in well despite the coronavirus-related restrictions. He owes this to his host family, with whom he initially lived and who helped him with the language. They familiarised him with the country and its people. "When I arrived in Bremerhaven, everything was completely new to me. For example, I had to prepare my shopping well and get used to the opening hours here." While most supermarkets in Germany close in the evening, you can shop around the clock at some markets in Bangkok, for example, even on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Bremerhaven offers logistics graduates many job opportunities

His Bremerhaven host father has become a role model for Puengyangyuen: "He works here in Bremerhaven himself, but comes from Bavaria. He likes the neighbourhood, and it's also cheap to live here in the north. Like me, he studied Logistics Engineering and Management at the university and showed me that there are many opportunities on the labour market in Bremerhaven." Siravit Puengyangyuen appreciates the manageable size of the city in contrast to Berlin or Hamburg and the polite people. The city and the people have persuaded him to stay in Bremerhaven. "The most important thing for me is not just to focus on earning a lot, but to be happy. I think Bremerhaven can offer that," says the logistics student.

Siravit Puengyangyuen already has specific ideas for his career start: "I would like to work as a project manager, but I am also interested in logistics marketing and purchasing. With my training, Bremerhaven as a port city gives me various opportunities to work here." Prof. Dr Dr Gerhard Feldmeier is pleased with his firm intention to work for a local logistics company after completing his Master's degree in Germany, which "deserves special attention, not least as a contribution to reducing the shortage of skilled workers."