50 years of Scholarships for Australian-German Student Exchange

BASF is proud to support the 50^th year of the scholarship that offers Australian students the chance to travel to Germany for 10 weeks.

The program, founded in 1967 by Herr Fritz von Einem Joosten, celebrated its 50^th anniversary this year. Fritz was a German businessman who was seriously wounded while fighting on the Russian front during World War II. He immigrated to Australia soon after the war and believed such conflicts could be avoided if young people from different countries could meet and learn to understand one another.

Fritz sought sponsorship from a number of German companies operating in Australia. Since then, SAGSE has been able to offer a select number of year 11 and 12 students studying German in secondary schools, the opportunity to improve their language skills and knowledge and get to know the German culture by living in the country for a period of time.

BASF has supported the program since 1970 and was thrilled this year to sponsor student, Charlotte Mikic, from Catholic Ladies College.

Charlotte has been studying German for over five years and will shortly complete her Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) final year German subject. Charlotte was encouraged to apply for the scholarship by her German teacher and believes it will offer her a unique experience to extend her German conversation skills and deepen her knowledge of German culture, society and politics.

In addition to her studies, Charlotte is a passionate Australian Football League (AFL) and this year played for the Northern Knights local women’s team. Through football, Charlotte believes she has developed communication skills and the importance of relationship building – key elements she hopes to further strengthen during her time in Germany.

“Charlotte is an enthusiastic and dedicated young person and we are thrilled to be able to offer her this opportunity through the SAGSE program this year,” said David Hawkins, Chairman and Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, BASF.

“Her positive energy and passion for her twin passions of academia and sport shone through when we met her. We wish her all the best with her final exams and her trip to Germany and look forward to catching up with her early next year to hear about her experiences,” he said.

Since 1967, more than 1,500 young Australians have been supported to cross the globe and immerse themselves in another culture, language and way to learn.