Erasmus Mundus Scholar Antxon Bilbatua Muñoz from Spain Shares His Journey of Securing a Fully Funded MSc at the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland

Hello everyone, my name is Antxon Bilbatua Muñoz. I come from a small city called Durango, located in the basque country (Spain). I am currently pursuing a MSc in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion under an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship funded by the European Union.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain. During last year of the bachelor's degree, I applied to the i-MESC master’s programme and was accepted. Since starting the master’s in 2024, I have studied at different universities: Warsaw University of Technology (Warsaw, Poland), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier (Toulouse, France) and Universidad del Pais Vasco (Bilbao, Spain). I am currently working on my Master thesis at LRCS (Laboratoire de Reactivite et de Chimie des Solides), a research center located in Amiens, France.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of the Basque Country, pursuing my final degree project in Tecnalia Research Center, in the field of Anion Exchange Membranes (AEM). My undergraduate studies provided me with a strong foundation in chemical processes, materials science and energy-related subjects.

During the degree, I developed a growing interest in the study of different materials, their behaviour and possible applications. The program also gave me practical expertise in laboratory work, modelling and technical writing, which helped me understand better the materials and energy sector.

Although I was not academically among the vey top-ranking students, my combination of academic background, practical industry experience and interest in the materials sector allowed me to graduate with ease and prepare well for the postgraduate master studies I am now pursuing.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institutions?

I started preparing my application a couple months in advance of the deadline. I knew that in order to get accepted into this master’s program, I could not leave it until the very last week. The application process consisted of preparing a motivation letter, a scientific essay and two recommendation letters. I began by searching for strong candidates whom I could rely on to write to write the recommendation letters. Afterwards, I focused on both the essay and the motivation letter. Finally, with all the documentation on hand and up to date, I submitted my application to the master’s program.

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

Regarding the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship that I received when entering the master’s programme, I did not have to apply for it separately. During the candidate selection process, some of the candidates were classified as eligible for a Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, while other students were granted an Industrial Scholarship.

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

As mentioned above, I am currently pursuing the i-MESC (Interdisciplinarity in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion) Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme. i-MESC is an ambitious and unique 2-year master programme co-funded by the European Commission. It aims to prepare the next generation of professionals to the new challenges of the energy field.

The master covers scientific and technological knowledge about electrochemical energy storage and conversion, from raw materials to complete devices. It has a major focus on batteries, but it also covers supercapacitors and fuel cells, from multiple angles such as material synthesis, manufacturing, advanced characterization and artificial intelligence.

What Did You Pursue After the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?

Although I am still in the last semester of the master’s programme and currently completing my thesis, my main plan after the scholarship is to join the industry and start applying the knowledge I have gained to the daily challenges of the energy sector.

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? Which Country Was the Most Affordable or Expensive, and How Did You Manage Financially?

Throughout the master I have studied in Poland, France and Spain. I would say overall, Poland was cheaper than France and Spain. I managed well financially, as the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship I received is financially attractive and allowed me to overcome all monthly expenses.

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? Did the Language of Instruction Change from One Country to Another?

As a native Spanish speaker, I did not know any Polish or French. However, at the universities we had some basic courses in Polish and French that helped me gain some basic knowledge and minimal communication skills. Nevertheless, English was the language we always spoke.

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

Of course. I feel it is a unique opportunity to meet new people, learn about new cultures, and study at foreign universities, which strengthens your knowledge and exposes you to a different study environment than what you may have experienced before. I really encourage people to go for these Erasmus opportunities, as they will surely be a positive experience to look back on fondly in the future.

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

I probably would have tried to immerse myself deeper into the culture and language of the foreign countries we visited. The only reason I could not do so was because of the sometimes packed schedule we had.