My Experience with the Erasmus Mundus Master's in Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development (MESD)

My name is Ana Abed León, and I’m from Mexico. I love spending time in nature, traveling, and discovering new cultures through the people I meet. I chose to study Chemical Engineering because I’ve always had a passion for science and biology, and I wanted to pursue a career with the potential to make a positive impact on the environment. At the same time, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Since high school, I have run a small business, which helped me understand the dynamics of earning and managing money.

During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to spend a semester in France, which I loved, especially because I was able to take part in a research project focused on developing a more environmentally friendly method for metal recovery. That experience inspired me to continue exploring ways to pursue a career at the intersection of sustainability and innovation.

It was also during my time in France that I learned about the Erasmus Mundus program. I immediately saw it as a promising opportunity to grow both professionally and academically, with potential pathways into business as well as research. I applied and was selected for the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development (MESD), in the MemTECH track, which focuses on project management for both research and business contexts. The program combines my main interests: sustainable development through scientific research and business and human resources management.

The program is coordinated by the University of Montpellier and involves mobility between several partner universities: the University of Zaragoza in Spain, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (UCT Prague), the University of Toulouse, Lund University in Sweden, and the University of Twente. The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend of €1,400. I was also accepted into another Erasmus Mundus program in Circular Economy, but I chose MESD because it includes a strong business component, which aligns more closely with my goals.

Educational Background 

My academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad de Sonora (Mexico), two scientific research internships during summer breaks, and one year of studies in France, including a research placement. Achieving all this was possible thanks to my language skills, I speak English and French, and my full commitment to every opportunity I pursued. I always delivered results and built strong, healthy relationships with supervisors and peers, which helped me receive meaningful support and recommendation letters for my Erasmus Mundus application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institutions?

To prepare my application, I took the time to understand the profile the program was looking for, and I selected programs that matched my own interests. I paid close attention to deadlines and specific requirements. A language proficiency test was required; in my case, I took the TOEFL. To prepare, I watched YouTube videos from people who had already taken the test, studied with free online resources, and did several practice tests. I believe the most challenging sections were writing and speaking. The best advice I got was to memorize response templates, especially for introductions. Once you start your response confidently, it’s easier to expand on ideas and provide strong arguments. I achieved high scores in both sections.

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

The MESD program has been extremely well coordinated. Every step was communicated on time, and we received full support throughout the process of obtaining visas and arranging accommodation for each mobility stage.

So far, I have studied at the University of Zaragoza, with a business-oriented curriculum, and at UCT Prague, focused on chemistry. Both universities offer a high academic standard, with knowledgeable professors and a great learning environment.

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?

All courses are taught in English, so the language is not a barrier academically. However, there are real-life challenges when you don’t speak the local language. If I had to compare, I would say it’s more difficult to navigate daily life in Spain without speaking Spanish than it is in the Czech Republic not speaking Czech. That said, I believe anyone going somewhere they don’t speak the local language should be prepared to experience cultural and language differences. It requires resilience, but also openness, doing research on how things work where we go, and the understanding that we are the visitors; it’s our job to be patient, tolerant, and respectful.

What I believe made my application stand out was:

• My previous experience living abroad for extended periods.
• Strong letters of recommendation.
• A clear and well-aligned motivation letter.
• A solid TOEFL score.
• Enthusiasm and confidence during the interview.

I was also previously accepted into a PhD program in France, but couldn’t start it because I hadn’t yet met the academic level required. I believe all these factors helped strengthen my profile. While I had good grades during my bachelor's, I don’t think they were the most decisive factor compared to the other aspects of my CV.

My Advice to Future Applicants

If you’re considering applying to an Erasmus Mundus program, start researching early. Identify the programs that align with your interests and carefully read the requirements; each program is different. For example, MESD accepts TOEFL scores as proof of English proficiency and requests the Europass CV format, but other programs may have different criteria. Make sure to follow each instruction exactly and submit everything on time.

I truly hope my experience encourages you to apply. Being far from everything familiar can be challenging, but the academic and personal growth, and most importantly, the people you meet along the way, make it absolutely worth it.