In my second blog, I write about my personal journey to inspire potential applications to Erasmus Mundus. I write about:
👉How I heard of Erasmus Mundus?
👉How I went through the application process?
👉How I prepared my journey?
👉How I acclimatized to my new host country?
I hope this blog post will be helpful to potential applicants who are keen to secure the Erasmus Mundus scholarship!
Do also check out my previous post & connect with me on LinkedIn!
How I heard of Erasmus Mundus?
Discovering opportunities like Erasmus Mundus can be a game-changer for those aspiring to secure a scholarship and embark on an international academic journey. My own experience started with a podcast I came across in 2021 that led me to the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue – a valuable resource for scholarship seekers worldwide and it became my compass in this exploration.
While searching for sustainability courses, I discovered the top three programs that aligned perfectly with my future career aspirations. Eager to delve deeper, I clicked on the consortium websites, immersing myself in the details to understand the future prospects and intricacies of each course.
I was genuinely amazed by the unique course structures and the variety of topics covered from Science to Dance. The innovative approach of these programs went beyond my expectations, making my decision to pursue an Erasmus Mundus program even more exciting.
Navigating the consortium websites provided invaluable insights. I absorbed information on curriculum structures, faculty expertise, and potential career paths. This thorough exploration solidified my decision to pursue an Erasmus Mundus program, shaping not only my academic journey but also paving the way for a fulfilling career in sustainability.
I run through my application process below to provide information to anyone keen to pursue a joint Master’s in Europe under the Erasmus Mundus banner.
How I dealt with my application process?
Going through the Erasmus Mundus application process requires careful planning and preparation. Most courses open for applications in early October, necessitating prospective applicants to have their profiles ready by the end of July due to varying requirements across programs. The major prerequisites for the courses I applied for, including ChIR – MSc in Chemical Innovation & Regulation, ECT – MSc in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, and SINReM – MSc in Sustainable and Innovative Natural Resource Management, required:
- An IELTS score
- A Motivation Letter/Personal Statement
- A Reference letter
- A strong academic background
- A genuine interest in the chosen course.
As a first-generation student from a humble background and at the time working full-time in a voluntary role, I recognized the need for assistance to enhance my profile. After some research, I found a service for Erasmus Mundus applications – an individual with first-hand Erasmus Scholar experience and an organization providing application support services. Seeking their help, I submitted drafts that they refined, with the majority of the work still being my own. This support came at a high cost; even though I agreed to pay $1000, I found that the assistance provided was limited to only refining my Motivational Statement and securing reference letters.
Crafting the Motivational Letter, deemed crucial in the application process and the character limitation posed a challenge. For ChIR, my dream course, a concise 2500-character limit prompted careful consideration of every word. Turning to YouTube videos and articles, I honed my approach, gradually shaping my story to fit the constraints. One of the resources that I found really helpful was a video by Jude (Chukwuebuka) Ogbodo, who is also an Erasmus Scholar residing in Spain.
Reflecting on the application journey, I realized that the initial steps can be daunting, but starting is key. The process may seem overwhelming, but taking that first step is pivotal. As we navigate an era with advanced AIs like Chat GPT, it becomes feasible to handle the application independently.
As part of my ChIR application, I additionally included a Spanish certificate from Alison.com – an online platform where anyone can undertake a language certification. I chose to pursue a Spanish course as I found it comparatively easier due to its similarity with the English alphabets. Although this was not a requirement, I wanted to stand out among other applicants. I would even say that the Spanish certificate, along with the fact that I had work experience and a previous journal publication massively aided my application.
While collating all required and additional documents, my word of advice would be to:👉Remember to keep an eye on the deadline
👉Start preparing as early as possible
Preparing for the journey
My journey from India to Barcelona involved careful planning, and there are lessons worth sharing. A month before departure, resigning from my job gave me ample time to spend with family and friends. For my visa formalities, securing an Erasmus Scholar appointment at the Spanish embassy was crucial. A contact from a pre-departure event facilitated the process, resulting in a positive response in three weeks.
Prior to takeoff, my accommodation search began, utilizing platforms beyond Facebook. By then, I had started free coaching sessions with Dr. Nadan and she connected me with Manasseh Anand, an Erasmus alumnus from Barcelona who coincidentally was heading to his Alma Mater one week after my own planned arrival to Barcelona. He became an invaluable guide, assisting with WhatsApp groups, and insights, and even accompanied me on housing visits when he was there.
Social media, notably Facebook, played a pivotal role in transforming paperwork into profound connections. Despite bringing three large bags against Dr. Nadan’s advice -given it was my first international flight and I had not yet secured long-term accommodation, I later realized spices and food items were available and it was just a matter of time to find the exact location. Here’s a tip for future applicants: skip carrying cooking essentials — I’m so relieved I didn’t bring them!
Crossing over from India to Spain, was another thing altogether once I was there, I take you on my journey of acclimatizing to Barcelona below.
Acclimatizing in Barcelona
The days after my arrival posed formidable challenges that led me into a brief period of depression. Wrestling with a new language and the daunting task of securing accommodation intensified the overwhelming sense of isolation.
In the face of this setback, I embraced self-reliance and expressed gratitude for the assistance received. Planning accommodation from India had presented its own set of hurdles. Opting for Airbnb, due to the difficulty in securing immediate housing upon arrival in Barcelona, I had booked a three-day stay as a temporary solution. However, the search for a more permanent residence proved challenging, leading to the extension of my Airbnb stay being impossible. Facing the complexity of securing last-minute accommodations in metropolitan areas, where bookings often occur a month in advance, left me in a precarious situation. Despite efforts, finding a place became increasingly difficult. A subsequent booking, seemingly economical and close to the university, turned into a distressing situation as the hosts became unresponsive upon my arrival.
At a particularly low point, the notion of taking a return flight briefly crossed my mind. In my distress, I turned to my coach, Dr. Nadan and conveyed to her my struggle to secure an accommodation. In a pivotal moment, her swift response became a lifeline, reminding me of the purpose behind my journey and urging me to persevere. Her words provided a much-needed source of self-assurance that propelled me with confidence into the experiences of the following day. Even when I encountered a setback and fell victim to a scam on Airbnb, the encouragement from Dr. Nadan remained priceless. Her call served as a beacon of support, making all the difference in navigating the challenges of those early days.
In a stroke of fortune, Manasseh’s friend Prashant Kumar called me and Prasanth’s generosity provided me with temporary shelter and support during a critical time. Grateful and indebted, I also received assistance from a classmate who offered me a place to stay. Subsequently, through Manasseh, I was invited to tag along to visit Dr Katharina Heil (ex-president of EMA and also ex-mentee of Dr Nadan through the EMA mentoring programme), and later met another helpful-stranger-turned-into-friend Satheesh, who played a crucial role in my quest for accommodation. This experience, marked by challenges and unexpected kindness, will remain etched in my memory to know more about.
Interestingly, during this tumultuous period, I reached out to the person who provided services during the application process, with the promise to help with securing accommodation. Despite my anxious messages seeking assistance with the accommodation issue, I received no response. To my surprise, I received a response three weeks, long after I had already settled into my new living arrangements.
In conclusion, the decision to seek professional assistance is subjective and depends on individual circumstances. While some may find support beneficial, it’s crucial to highlight that creating a successful application is entirely feasible independently. Even though seeking assistance is a personal choice, I would like to emphasize that one can navigate the application process autonomously, bypassing the need to pay someone whose primary focus may be on earning fame and money rather than genuinely aiding your journey.
The Erasmus Mundus Association has many eager volunteers readily to help free of cost to new students like me, this may be a good point of start for anyone who has secured a scholarship.
Whether you choose to go solo or seek external help, the journey to secure an Erasmus Mundus scholarship is both challenging and rewarding and I found many strangers to help me as I progressed on the journey, which also led to making worthwhile connections. Remember, the journey may be challenging at the start, but trust the process – the universe will find a way to guide you to where you want to be. As my coach, Dr Nadan says:
It is not a challenge – but an experience!
I end this blog here, with the hope that it will help many applicants in the future.
Acknowledgment
I thank my coach & mentor Dr Teeroumanee Nadan for guiding me in writing this blog, and for reviewing, text editing, image editing, and adding information to this blog to make it suitable for publication.
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