Fact Sheet

First name: Memoona 
Country of origin: Pakistan
Year of birth: 1994
Field of study: Governance and Public Policy
German university: Universität Passau
University location:  Passau
Type of stay: Master
I have been writing for the blog since: February 2021
My hobbies and interests: Travel, adventure, swimming, reading, writing, storytelling.

About Memoona 

There’s something utterly beautiful yet melancholic about new beginnings and the life you’ve left behind knowing there’s no going back. Originating from a soulful country called Pakistan, I have endured prolonged years of struggling to fit in – fit in school, college, university and society. So, during my high school, I would find shelter at the library. I would skip classes to hide and hear the books whisper to me, giving me an open invitation to read the stories I’ve never lived. There was this tiny capsuled corner in the library comprising of old Urdu books no one would read. The place seemed like a closet, safe enough for one person. It became my home. I’d sit there all day digging into stories and began to dream big. All these stories I absorbed compelled me to write – for myself, for the stories I wanted to live. As I entered my University phase, I proceeded working on those dreams. I succumbed myself to education. With time, I grew fond of Germany’s quality of education and I wanted to reach there. Coming from a developing country, I heard opinions that screamed “you won’t make it” “these efforts won’t matter” “you’re aiming for Germany, but be aware it’s nearly impossible to continue studying there”. I never stopped. I adopted consistency with pure hearted faith. I counted days, months and years. After exactly a decade of struggle, consistency and patience, I can proudly say that I have, indeed, made it. Today, I am a gold medalist, a DAAD scholar and an achiever. After 4 months of staying in Germany, I have finally found myself, right where I needed to be all this time. Here, I am learning, growing and adapting at my own pace. To all the people who are trying to fit in somewhere, find your cozy capsuled spot and make it home. You’ll have stories to tell.

More posts by Memoona

Testimonial Memoona
Testimonial Memoona© DAAD/Henning Ross
Blogger Memoona
Blog post written by Memoona

First Impressions – Memoona

Play video
Christmas cookies, an Advent wreath and baking accessories, late in the evening, a light is on.
Christmas cookies, an Advent wreath and baking accessories, late in the evening, a light is on.@DAAD/ Memoona
Blogger Memoona
Blog post written by Memoona
Christmas

In line with this topic

A Calendar, notes, clock and laptop on a desk
“How are you? May you blessed with happiness” written in Urdu by a dorm-mate of mine, who is also DAAD scholarship holder for her master at university of Passau.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Meeting new people
View of a store decorated for Christmas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Study in Germany gives you the chance to easily travel to other European countries during holiday. I took this picture during Christmas and New Year’s Eve break in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Christmas
Die Häuser des "Klein-Venedig" bieten Bamberger Studierenden eine historisch entspannte Kulisse. © BAMBERG Tourismus & Kongress Service
Klein Venedig© BAMBERG Tourismus & Kongress Service
Bamberg

Bamberg

#WorldHeritage #BambergCathedral #SmokedBeer

Town Hall square © Bettina Ruhland
Town hall square © Bettina Ruhland
Kempten

Kempten

#PopularVacationTown #Allgäu #YoungCultureAndGastronomyScene

A bench in front of a wall, the sun is shining.
I did not even choose Passau at first, all I thought of was just to come to any place in Germany, so that I can improve my language skills. Just that. In a nutshell, it was not Passau that I chose, but it was me that Passau – the university city that chose me.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Europe
View of the mountains © Bettina Ruhland
View of the mountains© Bettina Ruhland
Medium town

Rosenheim

#RosenheimHerbstfest #MountainsInTheEnvirons #CultureInLokschuppen

By the Donau River © Ruhland/DAAD
By the Donau River© Ruhland/DAAD
Medium town

Passau

#VeniceOfBavaria #FortressOberhaus #CityWithThreeRivers