Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Recipient, Ana Huembes from Nicaragua, Shares Her Journey of Completing the International Master in Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC) Across Scotland, Malta, and Estonia

My name is Ana Huembes, and I am a Central American Educator and human rights advocate. I come from a low-income family and country. Because my mother is a teacher, I grew to recognize the value of education. I accessed education via scholarship programmes and my mother’s efforts. It was then that I learned early in life that not everyone had access to the same quality of education or education opportunities at all. This led me to dedicate the past 13 years to education initiatives. My work has focused on creating equitable learning ecosystems. I began by tutoring in high school, progressed to undergraduate-level academic tutoring, and eventually taught and led a department at the secondary level. Now, I work with excluded and migrant communities, helping them access and navigate higher education.  

As an Erasmus Mundus scholar, I completed the International Master in Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC) Programme. This programme involved academic mobility in Scotland, Malta, and Estonia. During my journey, I also became active in the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), a global network for students and alumni. I founded the first country representation in Nicaragua. My role was to establish the first-ever country representation in Nicaragua, serving as Country Representative (CR) from 2023 to 2025. This has been a fulfilling role as it has allowed me to collaborate with fellow CRs across Central America, and we now have representation in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Panama. Our vision is for more people with backgrounds similar to ours to pursue higher education through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. 

In this role, I have also participated in multiple public engagement spaces, including the EMA General Assembly in Türkiye (2024) and Paris, France (2025), where I was recognised as EMA Ambassador of the year. I continue to participate in global forums and spaces to advocate for excluded and migrant communities' access to higher education. 

Educational Background 

My path was shaped by both resilience and community engagement. As the daughter of a teacher, education was always valued at home. Professionally, I have worked on projects involving international collaboration, which gave me a taste of cross-cultural communication. Personally, overcoming systemic barriers in Nicaragua made me adaptable and determined, qualities essential for a demanding international programme.

Before my Erasmus Mundus programme, I completed undergraduate studies in Psychology, followed by postgraduate studies in social and community project planning, technology and innovation management, and international education. Although this mix of disciplines seemed unusual to many at the time, it prepared me perfectly. I believe this knowledge helped me showcase my intellectual curiosity and openness for interdisciplinary studies and practice.

I knew that a multi-country programme required intercultural competence, adaptability, and an open mind. As an educator, I embodied these skills to be a role model for my students. I ensured that every project or activity I was involved in prior to applying had a clear connection to my academic and professional vision of working in education. The main difference was my new focus on adult learners in informal settings, an area where the programme would help me gain vital experience. 

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institution?

The first step was to explore the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue. I focused on education programmes by filtering the catalogue by academic discipline, and determined that IMAESC was the best fit. I then explored the dedicated programme website, and when directed to the application platform, I carefully read the steps and requirements. The IMAESC programme used a simple word application form. So, it was straightforward. 

I created a checklist to track all the required documents and took immediate action for anything I was missing. I also researched online any aspects I didn't understand. I read more about the universities and the IMAESC programme to understand the profile they expected from applicants. This process helped me frame my personal statement and motivation letter, allowing me to show how I would fit in and why their universities were relevant to me.

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

Trial and error was my initial strategy before applying for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. For several years, I had applied to other highly competitive global scholarships in the United States and the United Kingdom. This gave me extensive experience, but I had never made it past the interview stage.

My rejections forced me to constantly improve myself and fill academic and professional gaps. This required lots of self-awareness and reflection. I reread previous applications and checked rejection emails for any feedback that could indicate why I had failed, giving me a clear idea of what to improve.

I unfortunately didn’t have any mentors. However, I searched across social media and online posts of people who had earned scholarships before to get an idea or perspective on how they had approached their scholarship application process. I knew that each programme from the Erasmus Mundus catalogue is unique. And they require specific things. Not all of them ask for a motivation letter, for example. Even those that do, sometimes they give you specific questions to answer. Others give you a blank page. This is trickier because you have to be careful in considering what to include. 

The IMAESC programme asked me to write a personal statement that explained my motivation for choosing the program and demonstrated why I was a good candidate. These specific questions had a word limit, so it was tricky to be concise while showcasing my ideas, especially because I had to connect my previous studies and experiences to my future career goals, all while also outlining a potential topic for my second-year dissertation and highlighting my relevant extracurricular activities. Trial and error, again, I wrote so many drafts! 

It is very helpful to find current students or alumni of the specific programme you want to apply to. The Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) can help you connect with programme and country representatives who can guide you. However, the best point of contact is always the programme coordination office itself.

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 was the International Master's in Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC). This two-year, joint master's degree focused on using adult education as a tool to address social issues like inequality, migration, and poverty. I chose the “Critical Issues, Policy and Curriculum” pathway, which focused on a theoretical and practical understanding of how adult education can be used to address significant social challenges. 

The program was highly international, as it involved mandatory mobility periods at a consortium of universities, but also because we had a diverse cohort with 19 nationalities being represented, and with me being the first Nicaraguan selected for the programme. I had the opportunity to study at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the University of Malta, and Tallinn University in Estonia. But we also had courses from the Open University of Cyprus online. This structure allowed me to gain a wide perspective on adult education policies and practices across different European contexts. Additionally, the curriculum had a strong emphasis on the connection between theory and practice, which included work-based placements and a final research dissertation.

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 is always a mix of factors. Between inflation and lifestyle, each country had its own difficulties. 

The most expensive country to study in was Scotland. However, this was because of the insanely high accommodation rates. The housing crisis across Europe, and especially in the United Kingdom, has an immense impact on international students. The problem there is not a lack of housing itself, but the high rates and the target audience. In Scotland, there were lots of student accommodation options, but they would cost more than £700 (equivalent to € 800) per month. And obviously, as a student on a stipend, this is simply not realistic. 

For my first semester, I received a monthly stipend of € 1000, which converted into £ 865 or so. When I first arrived in the UK, I had to pay £600 for accommodation, and I lived 40 minutes away from the university. So, I also had to spend money on transportation. Added to this, a mobile plan, groceries, and any other expenses, including saving money to apply for the visa for my next academic mobility. Not everything was bad in the UK, though. The cities themselves are quite friendly for students, and you get discounts at shops or can find lots of student discounts and meals. I, however, preferred to cook at home. It was cheaper, and I got to cook what I enjoyed most.

The most affordable country in terms of accommodation was Estonia. I was able to find adequate, affordable accommodation, which allowed me to sometimes save some money. However, I don’t remember groceries being that cheap there, but you have to play around with your budget.

I struggled a lot during my stay in the UK because I didn’t have time to work [we were allowed to work part-time in the UK], but ultimately, the aim of the scholarship is to focus full-time on studies, which was my priority. I also didn’t have external support because my family is low-income and both my parents were retired, living on their minimal pension. I did, however, have the support of the incredible friends I made in the city. They became my family, and they validated the importance of having a community. 

Even though it was tricky, my lifestyle was also quite moderate. I didn’t go out often; I strategized my outings in a way that I would reduce the number of times I’d have to leave my flat. This helped me save on transportation. I also took full advantage of free and discounted services for students. In general, it all depends on the country’s context and cost of living, combined with your lifestyle and food preferences. 

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 language barriers. Although I had never traveled outside of my country, I was actively engaged in international communities for more than 10 years. At that point, I had established friendships and colleagues from different corners of the world. We mainly communicated in English, but I had a global perspective on many things. I also love languages. So, although I didn’t speak Estonian, for example, I had found that the government had a free online course. I enrolled in it to gain a basic understanding and engage with the community. I made sure to always learn at least basic phrases to greet, ask for help, or thank people in their local language. This made it easy to connect with them or show them that I at least made an effort to be part of their community. I remember how smiley some people would be when I’d say “Tere, tere,” which is a very friendly, informal greeting. Or I’d say “Tere hommikust”, which is good morning. And “Aitäh,” which means thank you. I cannot describe how much of a difference knowing one simple word like this makes in your daily interactions as an international student. 

However, the language of instruction was always English. The Erasmus Mundus programmes are designed for an international student audience. So, they are taught by international faculty staff and in English. There may be some courses in some programmes that require a different language, but this would not be the rule. 

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

Absolutely! I recommend the Erasmus Mundus programme, not just because it is a comprehensive experience, but also because of the unique amount of world knowledge you gain. It is incredible to me how it’s not only the prestige of the universities, the resources they may have, or the qualified staff that drives your learning. They do, obviously, but it is your classmates who teach you so much about their worlds. 

Interacting with classmates from 19 countries was eye-opening. Conversations in our kitchens, classrooms, or even while travelling taught me more about empathy and global citizenship than any textbook. For example, discussing migration with peers from conflict-affected regions further deepened my understanding of displacement, which later informed my research on exiled and displaced Nicaraguan students. I had friends from Georgia, Lebanon, Poland, and North Macedonia. They would not have heard about Nicaragua had they not met me in the programme, and vice versa. To me, the Erasmus Mundus programme also served as a space, a platform to carry the voices of many who feel invisible in global education spaces. I felt that I carried the voice of my people and our struggles as a collective. 

A piece of advice for anyone considering this scholarship is to remember that meritocracy is a myth. This is a highly competitive scholarship, and many applicants will have access to resources you might not, such as paid mentors, consultancy services, and AI assistance. Because of this inequality, you will have to work hard to make your application stand out. I also lacked these resources, but I believe my success came from letting my unique voice and authentic intent shine through. It's not about using buzzwords or clever language; it's about showing your genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world and your community. Pursuing this scholarship is a significant responsibility; you become an ambassador for your country and its people, and your application should reflect this. I strongly advise against using AI for the scholarship application. The consortium and selection committee want to meet you, not a sanitised, AI-generated version of you. Your application is your chance to showcase your true profile, so make sure it's genuinely your own.

However, within these flawed systems, you still have a chance at succeeding. You must strive for authenticity in the sense that their intentions for a better world must be genuine. It is worthwhile for you to pursue a chance to share your story, struggles, and impact, both the impact you’ve had and the one you intend to have, through Erasmus Mundus. It is worthwhile to have a chance at sharing the story of your people, and to remember that what might feel like a weakness in your context can be a strength and source of resilience on a global stage. 

An Extra Piece of Advice

For those of us for whom English is not our native language, take the time to read on how to communicate effectively. This will help you craft a strong motivation letter. I write a newsletter that may be of use to some of you. If it may be of use to you, I am writing a newsletter from my perspective as an Erasmus Mundus alumna and former EMA country representative. It is in Spanish because my audience is Central American applicants, but I’m sure you can use the translate option to get a couple of useful ideas from there. 

What Was the Most Transformative Aspect of Studying Across Multiple Countries as Part of Erasmus Mundus?

It was the constant challenge of starting over, new languages, academic systems, and cultural norms in work environments. Each country pushed me to grow in different ways. For someone who is highly adaptable, the cultural norms within a work environment were the most challenging aspect. People from different cultures set different expectations, organisational skills, and even work ethic. Coming from a background that required me to work hard and with excellence, sometimes I felt frustrated when people did not commit at the same level as I did. 

Was There a Turning Point in Your Journey Where You Felt, “Yes, This Is Really Possible for Me”?

I was certain of my potential and commitment, but I knew this scholarship programme was highly competitive. Usually, global scholarships are. And there are so many talented people across the globe that it isn’t even about having a strong profile. I was skeptical of getting it because I recognised that my sociocultural context had me at a disadvantage compared to other applicants. We must remember that the Erasmus Mundus scholarship is a merit scholarship, meaning that you are still competing with applicants who may have had a way more privileged background than yours. This also implies that they may speak more languages than you, have had more multicultural social and professional experiences than you, and even have cross-country professional expertise. They also may have access to personalised mentors and services to help them apply. But again, going back to the question, I knew all along I deserved an opportunity. I just had to work harder than the average applicant to showcase my intentions and profile to the best of my abilities. So, the turning point for me was having a determined, realistic mindset. 

Looking Back, What Specific Skills or Perspectives Did Erasmus Mundus Give You That You Might Not Have Gained in a Single-Country Programme?

Definitely critical intercultural competence and the ability to adapt to ambiguity. I had engaged in multicultural environments prior to my Erasmus Mundus programme (despite not having left my country ever), but within the programme, I learned to be more critical about interculturality. My interactions with peers reminded me that cultural differences can both enable and constrain individuals, particularly in relation to issues of race, class, gender, and nationality. As an educator, it was hard for me to witness issues of racism, cultural bias, misogyny, and power imbalances and their expressions in each country where I studied. Also, an appreciation for multiple perspectives in problem-solving. Erasmus prepared me to think beyond national boundaries when addressing issues like education, migration, and inclusion.

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

The only thing I would have done differently is to explore the Erasmus Mundus catalogue. For years, I mistakenly thought that the Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme didn’t exist anymore. A former classmate during my undergraduate studies made a comment that it had closed. And I misunderstood her. The scholarship programme itself continued to offer funding. What had closed was a specific master’s programme. This happens often because the programmes function on a project timeline. Sometimes, they renew the funding. Other times they don’t get it. But the scholarship continues for the time being. So, just make sure to check that your programme has the funding available. 

Finally, Ana, How Do You Envision the Future of International Mobility for Students From Nicaragua and Central America, Especially in a World That Is Constantly Shifting?

I envision a future where everyone can access education. Through my academic mobility, I saw the impact of forced displacement and migration. Asylum-seeking, refugee, and exiled students face so many obstacles. Not only do they have to find ways to survive, but also, their dreams and goals are on standby. Some host countries, I learned, offer them support. In the UK, for example, some universities have established some mechanisms for this. In Central America, there have been some efforts in Costa Rica and Guatemala, but more can be done. Access to higher education and free mobility are rights, but governments have framed them as privileges. 

So, for Central America, I hope to see stronger regional networks and engagement from NGOs, governmental institutions, and higher education institutions. I hope that more scholarship programmes, including Erasmus Mundus, create space for displaced, exiled, refugee, and asylum-seeking applicants. They struggle so much with getting their documents ready and validated. So, I am currently seeking partnerships to support these communities through my work with the Erasmus Mundus Association and local individuals and entities across Central America. This, too, is a way of showing the long-term impact of an Erasmus Mundus programme.