Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Recipient, Afiya from Indonesia, Shares Her Journey of Securing the Fully Funded MSc in Soils and Global Change (IMSOGLO) Across Ghent University, BOKU Vienna, and University of Goettingen

Hi there! I am Afiya from Indonesia, currently a second-year student in the Erasmus Mundus IMSOGLO (International Master in Soils and Global Change). I got my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Institut Teknologi Bandung, a prominent STEM university in Indonesia, where I did my thesis work on soil contamination by petroleum, which inspired me to apply for my current program.

My chosen track, the Soil-Plant System Processes, takes me on a journey through three campuses: Ghent University, BOKU Vienna, and the University of Goettingen, where I will go in the next semester.

Educational Background 

Unlike most of my master’s classmates who came from agronomy or agricultural backgrounds during their bachelor studies, I studied environmental engineering. My path there wasn’t easy; during high school, I struggled a lot emotionally due to financial problems at home, and I ranked in the bottom ten of my class for most semesters. Although I worked hard in my final semester and eventually got admitted into an excellent university, years of poor study habits and a weak foundation in science made it hard for me to adjust at first. There were times I felt behind, overlooked, and undeserving of greater opportunities.

As I came to better understand my strengths, weaknesses, and needs, I finally began to learn how to distinguish myself. I may not fit the portrayal of a perfect student, but I still deserve my chances to learn and grow. Eventually, I graduated with the equivalent of an upper second-class degree while taking part in multiple competitions and campus organizations related to the environment. I even had the opportunity for a government-funded exchange at the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 2021. Being aware of, yet embracing, my own shortcomings has helped me become more self-directing and organized in navigating life and studies far from home. And now, I can say it’s starting to bear fruit!

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

I began my preparations in November 2023 and received the scholarship in February 2024. I did not overthink my decision to pursue a master’s scholarship abroad; it felt like a natural next step to build on the knowledge I accrued during undergraduate studies, even though I had only graduated in October 2023. There were three scholarships I intended to apply to: the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) scholarship, British Council Women in STEM Scholarships for ASEAN students, and Erasmus Mundus (programs: ECT+ and IMSOGLO). As the deadlines were sooner for LPDP and Erasmus Mundus, I prioritized those two and planned to apply to the WiS scholarship only afterwards.

Since my foundation in English was sufficient, it took me one month to prepare for the IELTS exam, the whole month of December 2023. I then took the test in January and used the rest of the month to prepare the necessary documents, as well as motivation and recommendation letters. To my delight, IMSOGLO announced their selection results, and I was selected to be one of the 24 recipients of the scholarships, out of 961 applicants in the 2024 cohort.

As soon as I received the announcement, I cancelled my then-unfinished applications to all other programs and scholarships. By God’s grace, I got the scholarship I wanted the most; this is because Erasmus Mundus gives me the most room to experience different learning styles across Europe, as well as the non-binding nature of the scholarship, which I hope to use to build a life and career in the EU after graduation.

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

The IMSOGLO (International Master in Soils and Global Change) offers two tracks: Soil-Plant System Processes and Soil Ecosystem Processes. In the first semester at Ghent University, all students had the same fundamental modules on soil processes. From the second semester onward, the tracks start to diverge. My track, the Soil-Plant one, offers modules that are closer to environmental sciences, accommodating a wide range of interests from soil pollution/remediation and organic agriculture to a little bit of earth science and geography, but crops and plants as biomass in different global contexts remain the focus. The other track, in my opinion, leans more toward the physical consequences of agricultural management and how they contribute to soil degradation.

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?

For me, Ghent (Belgium) was the toughest in terms of daily living. Public transport was almost twice as expensive as in Vienna and not very reliable, especially in the narrow streets, so biking was definitely the easiest and cheapest way to get around. Grocery shopping wasn’t great either; cheaper stores weren’t always easy to reach, and I could seemingly never be able to afford fruits there.

When it comes to eating out, Ghent also absolutely didn’t compare to Vienna. Fries were pretty much the only budget option, while in Vienna, you can get filling street food for around 5 euros. The proper restaurant meals are also guaranteed to be cheaper. Funny enough, my dorm room that felt like a prison cell in Ghent cost me 100 euros more than what I now pay in Vienna for a cozy room with wooden details. You can tell how much I loved my semester in Vienna!

All in all, the scholarship covered my needs, but since moving to Vienna, I also started a part-time data-entry job, which gives me some extra money to help with travel and personal stuff. As for Germany, ask me in a few months!

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?

Throughout my two semesters so far, the courses have been taught entirely in English, so I have never faced any language barrier in class. In daily life, like grocery shopping or going out, most people and staff also speak English, given the large number of international visitors and students. Flemish Dutch was impossible to learn, so I just didn’t. However, in Vienna, knowing basic phrases does help (even though most young adults in Vienna speak excellent English), and luckily, German is a little bit more fun to learn. Though when needed, I just use Google Translate.

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

Absolutely! IMSOGLO is an excellent program, with top partner universities and an outstanding variety of courses to give students a sound foundation in soil functions and the opportunity to explore them further through research – in fact, not all thesis options in IMSOGLO are purely field-centred. Some involve tools like spectral imaging and AI, stable isotopes, citizen science, or crop modelling. I think IMSOGLO really encourages their students to be a part of something relevant and ever-expanding in the field of soil and environmental sciences.

That said, I think that every IMSOGLO student brings something different, whether it’s flawless academic records, hands-on experiences in farms or forests, teaching roles, solid writing and English skills, or simply the eager curiosity about soils despite coming from a non-agronomy background. In my case, I think it was primarily my IELTS score, my relevant job experience, and the thesis abstract that I submitted that helped set me apart from other applicants. Yours could be different! Also, during submission, your motivation letter cannot be longer than 1 page, so make sure it reflects your edge really, really well. Keep it relevant to what you have, can, and will contribute in the field if you get accepted, as well as your idea of a career journey once you graduate. It's always a good idea to go a little bit technical, explaining to them what soil challenges you want to tackle.

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

It is important to always do your best in studies, but don’t forget that it’s just as essential to feel and look your best. Don’t wallow in your worries alone; learn to give someone else your trust and tell them about it. Buy yourself some nice skincare, comfortable bedding, a few fancy outfits, or supplements; they are not treats, they are part of the good life you deserve! Go out to eat with friends sometimes (not every day!). Trust me, the scholarship is enough for all of that, and you still get to save some. J These are relevant to what I would have done differently: to support myself more fully and to ask for support right away when I couldn’t. You are not alone!