How a Nigerian Tourism Graduate Studied in France, Portugal, and Poland Through the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus GOALS Program in Sport and Event Managemen

Hello. My name is Alabi Oluwatosin, and I am from Nigeria. I have a background in Hospitality and Tourism. I studied in multiple countries as part of the GOALS (Governance and Administration of Leisure and Sport International Master's) Erasmus Mundus program. Through this program, I was able to study at the University of Lille, the University of Lisbon, and Nicolaus Copernicus University.

Educational Background

Before joining the Erasmus Mundus program, my academic background was in Hospitality and Tourism management. I studied Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Before going to the university, I was a sports enthusiast, which made me focus on sports tourism as my preferred niche. Additionally, my undergraduate program mandated we go on study trips both domestically and internationally. Due to these trips, I was able to develop adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. This background prepared me well for the multi-country experience of the Erasmus Mundus program by equipping me to work in diverse environments and collaborate with different individuals.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institution?

We don’t need to apply to the institution for the Erasmus Mundus Goals program. We just apply for the scholarship, and when selected, you are automatically admitted to the institution.

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

I applied for some scholarships before winning the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, some of which are the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, Government of Ireland Scholarship, Romanian Government Scholarship, etc.

I prepared to apply for the scholarship by first going to the program website and jotting down all the requirements. After this, I made sure I had all the required documents ready before the deadline. Additionally, I crafted a well-written statement of purpose that aligns with my career goals and the objective of the program. I also sent my statement of purpose to some scholar friends to help me refine it. Some of the documents are my transcript, proof of English language proficiency, a reference, CV, etc.

I chose the Erasmus Mundus program because it aligns with my career interests, in addition to the fact that it was a new program that would allow me to study across several universities in Europe. I believe what made my application stand out is aligning the program objectives with my career goals, and the help of my scholar friend in guiding and mentoring me through the process. I also did well during the interview process.

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

The Erasmus Mundus program I pursued is the GOALS (Governance and Administration of Leisure and Sport International Master) program, and it mainly focused on sport and event management.

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?

The cost of living varies across Europe as each country has its unique characteristics. The most affordable country I lived in is Poland, and I can categorically say it is among the cheapest countries to live in Europe. Living in France is also fair enough as a student but it cannot be compared to Poland.

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?

I didn’t face any language barrier because the program was taught in English across all countries. However, I faced some difficulties communicating with locals in France as the major language is French, but I was able to overcome that by using Google Translate and another language app.

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

Yes, I will recommend the program 100 percent. I would advise anyone considering the scholarship to go to the program website and read the program objectives very well to see how it aligns with their career path. Secondly, I will advise them to have clear and well-defined career goals. Lastly, they should have a well-written essay.

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

I would have travelled more.