How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal Through the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Hi everyone! My name is Agustín Andrés Stickar. I’m 27 years old, and I’m from Bahía Blanca, Argentina. I completed my undergraduate degree in Geophysics at Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) in November 2024, and currently I’m studying the Erasmus Mundus Joint MSc. Degree in Planetary Geosciences (GeoPlaNet). So far, as part of this MSc. I was able to study at Universidade de Coimbra in Portugal and Università “Gabriele d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara in Italy, and I will be moving to Nantes Université in France for the upcoming semester.

Educational Background

Before joining the Erasmus Mundus program, I graduated with a BSc. in Geophysics at my home city university. During my BSc. I developed a strong foundation in physics, maths, geology, and computational tools; I was awarded several scholarships, and for my final bachelor’s thesis I was able to conduct seismic interpretation, data analysis, and also participate in fieldwork to collect geological data. Besides that, for one year I had the pleasure of serving as president of the SEG Student Chapter UNS, which helped me develop some organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills while doing scientific outreach activities. In summary, I think this combination of heavy scientific analysis and international chapter management was an excellent preparation for the academic demands and the multicultural environment of an Erasmus Mundus program.

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

I have always been very interested in the space sector, so my preparation focused on demonstrating that lifelong interest. I emphasized that my passion for planetary geosciences and my strong academic background in geophysics led me to apply to the GeoPlaNet Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, and I made sure my application conveyed how eager I was to deepen my knowledge in planetary processes while being part of an international academic environment. Furthermore, I highlighted my academic achievements and my personal commitment to position myself as a strong candidate in this scholarship selection process, which is highly competitive, with only about 15 students selected worldwide per cohort.

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

I am currently pursuing the GeoPlaNet Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Planetary Geosciences. This program is intended to prepare researchers for the growing space sector by combining the expertise of three universities in Portugal (Coimbra), Italy (Chieti/Pescara), and France (Nantes). The curriculum focuses heavily on analyzing planetary data, testing scientific hypotheses, and using cutting-edge tools to study geological processes. It also places a strong emphasis on scientific communication and professional networking. As a direct result of this, after completing a course project, I had the opportunity to attend the Luxembourg Space Resources Week, which allowed me to connect my academic work directly with the global space industry.

How Did the Cost of Living Vary Across the Countries You Studied In?

There were noticeable differences between Portugal, Italy, and France. For example, Portugal generally has a lower cost of living compared to major Italian cities or Nantes. However, I managed my finances by budgeting carefully and researching housing markets well in advance, which is crucial when looking for student apartments or rooms.

Did You Face Any Language Barriers, and if so, How Did You Overcome Them?

The official language for the courses is English (you’ll need at least B2 level) as well as my communication with most of the cohort and classmates, but daily life required and requires adapting to the local languages depending on the semester. Particularly, I already knew how to communicate in Italian, but for Portuguese I learned the basics at least for everyday life interactions, and I will do the same for French (although I already know some basic things). The scientific language remained constant, but stepping outside the university always required linguistic flexibility.

Would You Recommend the Erasmus Mundus Program to Others?

Yes, I would highly recommend this program. The opportunity to collaborate directly with international mentors, professors, and researchers across multiple European institutions is invaluable. My advice to prospective applicants is that you don't necessarily need to have a strictly defined research goal, but it is highly beneficial to have one or a few topics that you are particularly interested in.

You also need to remain adaptable. You will need to handle complex logistics, from flights and luggage limits to finding new apartments every six months. I have to admit that this constant moving can be a bit stressful, and being so far away means you will sometimes miss your loved ones a lot. However, despite these challenges, it is an incredibly good and enriching experience. It teaches you how to navigate life in different countries and cultures, and allows you to meet and learn from people all over the world. Ultimately, the life skills you gain are just as important as the academic ones, making the whole journey completely worth it.