Abhimanyu Bhowmik’s Journey from India to Europe with Erasmus Mundus MIR Scholarship in Marine Robotics

Hi, I am Abhimanyu Bhowmik from Kolkata, India. I was a fan of Physics and Technology, which turned me into a Robotics and AI Engineer. I recently completed my Master's in Marine Robotics from the EMJMD MIR Program. I spent my first year at a small but beautiful village in the French Riviera. Where I studied at Université de Toulon (UTLN). In the second year of my master's, I moved to Trondheim, Norway, a quiet and beautiful student town. I studied at the Department of Marine Technology (which is one of the best marine engineering departments in the world) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Educational Background

Before joining MIR, I graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Artificial Intelligence from Amity University Kolkata. During my bachelor's studies, I delved into several activities outside my regular studies to identify my dreams and passions.

Initially, I did some freelancing and internships, and then I, along with some of my friends, started a small start-up during Covid-19 to help local teachers provide their services online with hassle-free proprietary applications.

After one year, I got quite interested in research, and with the help of some of my friends and some overseas collaborators, I published several academic publications in National and international workshops and conferences.

In the last year of my undergraduate studies, I did 2 major internships. The first internship was on Satellite Image Super Resolution at the Regional Remote Sensing Centre-East (ISRO). The second internship was on robotics at the Multi-Robot Autonomy Lab at IISER Bhopal. During this period, I got an opportunity to study mobile robotics as an accredited course at a newly established German university called UTN (Technische Universität Nürnberg). It was an online cohort, but I got to interact with people from around the world (China, Singapore, Italy, Iran, Russia, etc.), which helped me a lot to prepare for the Multicultural experience of Erasmus.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarships?

I applied through the MIR website, and it’s a straightforward process. I wrote my IELTS exam and prepared all the required documents, such as Marksheets from previous semesters, 2 letters of recommendation: one of my university professors (I had worked on my bachelor’s thesis and a research paper under his supervision), and my ISRO internship supervisor (whom I was working with for more than 6 months). During the application, I also prepared a module handbook that shows the content of the courses I took at my university, and a bona fide certificate from my university stating that I will graduate in 2023.

I was looking for robotics courses in the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue. I found the three main programs: MIR, IFRoS, and JEMARO. Among them, I applied for MIR and IFRoS, and I got selected as a self-funded candidate at IFRoS and a fully funded student at MIR. For the application, I highlighted my diverse background, research experience, relevant internships, and the international exposure I had. I didn’t focus on online courses; rather, I showcased my relevant background with real-world experiences and demonstrable results, such as projects and research papers.

Could You Briefly Discuss the Erasmus Mundus Program You Pursued and the Specific Field of Study It Focused On?

I pursued my Erasmus Mundus Master's in Marine and Maritime Intelligent Robotics(MIR). The program revolves around 3 key pillars: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Marine / Ocean Sciences. In the first semester at UTLN, we mostly had theoretical courses, like Mechatronics, Control Theory, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Oceanography, and Underwater Acoustics. The second semester was filled with practical projects, guest lectures, industry visits, and experiments with BlueROV. The 3rd semester at NTNU consisted of elective courses like Sensor Fusion, Guidance and Navigation, and Marine Control Systems, while the last semester was only a master's thesis. The program is very focused on networking with an annual symposium, along with key conferences like Euromaritime, WAICF, and Submeeting.

How Did the Cost of Living Vary Across the Countries You Studied In? Which Country Was the Most Affordable or Expensive, and How Did You Manage Financially?

Cost of living varies a lot, especially in the NTNU track. South of France is quite affordable, with housing prices at a max of 250-400 euros. In France, we have the option to receive CAF, which reduces our accommodation significantly. Generally, the cost of living is around 500-600 euros per month if someone cooks enough meals at home.

On the other hand, Trondheim is very expensive, student housing costs around 450 euros, groceries more than 200 euros, and transportation is about 270 euros for 6 months. In general, the cost of living in Trondheim is around 800-900 euros per month. Fortunately, the scholarship allowance covers all the monthly expenses; however, it’s not possible to travel from Trondheim as easily or cheaply as it was in France.

Did You Face Any Language Barriers, and if So, How Did You Overcome Them? Did the Language of Instruction Change from One Country to Another?

France has a huge language barrier, specifically when it comes to working with the French bureaucracy. It’s highly recommended to learn a little bit of French and download the Offline Translation of the French Language on your phone whenever visiting France. On the other hand, Norwegians, much like other Scandinavians, speak fluent English. Thus, there is no language barrier in Norway in general. All of my studies were conducted in English, both in France and Norway, so the language of instruction remained consistent throughout the program. We had to take introductory language courses both in France and Norway, but it doesn’t contribute to my course credits.

Would You Recommend the Erasmus Mundus Program to Others? What Advice Would You Give to Someone Considering This Scholarship?

I would highly recommend the MIR program to anyone interested in pursuing a career in robotics or computer vision. My advice to anyone considering the scholarship would be to focus on these key aspects: internships, research experience, and international exposure. Build a good portfolio of projects and get strong recommendations about working experience from someone with whom you have been working for at least 6 months. Lastly, plan early, prepare all of your documentation, and review your Statement of Purpose multiple times before applying.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

Generally, I have had an excellent experience with MIR. The only regret I have is not participating in scuba diving, the Cannes Film Festival in France, and skiing in Norway. I wish I had taken more initiative to take part in all of the group activities. However, the way my Erasmus journey unfolded is truly remarkable, and I would love to do it all over again.