How I Secured a Fully Funded Master’s at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy Through the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

My name is Asim Zulfiqar, and I am from Pakistan. I am currently working as an IoT (Internet of Things) scientific researcher in Germany while also pursuing my PhD in Energy Management for Smart IoT Devices at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

I completed my bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering in 2018 from Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, Pakistan. Afterward, I earned my master's degree in Photonic Integrated Networks, Sensors, and Circuits (PIXNET) as an Erasmus scholar in 2022. This program involved studying at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy, Aston University in Birmingham, UK, and Osaka University in Japan.

Educational Background

I earned a Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering from SSUET, Pakistan, in 2018 before applying for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Degree Program. Additionally, I gained several years of experience working on freelance IoT projects on Fiverr and worked as a STEM instructor in Pakistan. My work on freelance IoT projects allowed me to connect with clients from around the world and deepened my understanding of the technical and academic landscape in Europe, which helped me prepare for my application. Furthermore, I created tutorials in my field on my YouTube channel and blog, "High Voltages."

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree Programme?

It was already late when I learned about the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, as most of the programs had already passed their deadlines. I discovered Erasmus Mundus accidentally while scrolling through Facebook, where I came across a video of an Erasmus awardee who explained the scholarship in detail. After watching the video, I conducted some research and found a relevant group for Pakistani students preparing for Erasmus Mundus.

I explored the group and found numerous tips from alumni, which helped me understand the application process. I identified various programs to which I could apply; unfortunately, most had already closed their applications, and others had deadlines just a few days away. I prepared my CV, wrote a letter of motivation, and obtained recommendation letters from my teachers. I applied to two Erasmus programs, but at that time, applicants could apply to a maximum of three programs, and both were highly competitive. I felt that my applications were not fully developed.

I had a third option that allowed me some time to draft my application: I discovered the PIXNET program, for which I was ultimately awarded a scholarship. I conducted thorough research on this program, compiling all relevant keywords, and contacted alumni to ask about their experiences, program expectations, and teacher requirements. This research greatly assisted me in drafting my application.

Furthermore, I extracted keywords from the application and performed a SWOT analysis on myself, identifying my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which guided my application writing. For instance, the program itself did not mention anything about IoT protocols, but when I spoke to one of the alumni, he informed me that they were indeed studying these protocols. I viewed this as an opportunity to showcase my skills, as I had already been creating tutorials on the subject.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I applied to three programs in the Erasmus Mundus and was accepted into one.

Erasmus Mundus Program You Pursued and the Specific Field of Study It Focused On

The Photonic Integrated Circuits, Sensors, and Networks (PIXNET) Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree program focused on the design, creation, and evaluation of innovative integrated devices based on photonic technologies. The learning outcomes included theoretical design of systems and network devices, design and simulation of photonic integrated circuits, fabrication in a cleanroom facility, and packaging and final testing of prototypes.

The program included six different mobility options, and I was awarded the sixth one, which concentrated on "Theory and Techniques for Photonic Integrated Devices." Upon completion, we received two degrees: a Master's in Photonic Integrated Circuits, Sensors, and Networks from SSSA and a Master of Science in Photonic Integrated Circuits, Sensors, and Networks from ASTON. One of the mobility options offered three degrees, and a few others involved TU Eindhoven (TUE), Netherlands, as well.

What Did You Pursue After the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree Scholarship for the PIXNET Programme?

After completing my Erasmus program in Japan, I secured a job as a scientific researcher focused on IoT projects in Germany. I have been working there for nearly four years now, and last year, in addition to my job, I began my PhD at TUM.

Cost of Living

Our program started in September 2020, during which we were awarded a monthly stipend of 1,000 Euros and a yearly mobility allowance of 4,000 Euros. In the first year, we studied in Pisa, Italy. Due to COVID-19, finding accommodation was relatively easy. I paid 300 Euros for a room in a shared apartment, and my other expenses ranged from 300 to 400 Euros. It was also possible to find a decent room for around 200 Euros during that time. Although we were allowed to work part-time according to the country's specific rules for students, opportunities were limited because of COVID-19, and our stipend was sufficient to cover our expenses.

Next, we spent a semester in Birmingham, UK. I paid approximately 350 GBP (around 400 EUR) for a room in a dormitory, which included a transport pass. My other expenses also ranged from 300 to 400 Euros. The largest expense was the visa fee and national insurance, which totaled around 2,000 Euros when applying for the visa. In Birmingham, there were numerous part-time work opportunities, and many apps were available to help us find shift-based work easily.

Finally, we spent our last semester in Japan. There, we received a monthly stipend of 500 Euros and paid around 27,000 JPY (approximately 150 Euros) for a room in a dormitory. My other expenses were around 200 to 300 Euros.

In terms of cost of living, Japan was the cheapest option; however, we managed to save more money while living in Italy.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing the Countries' Native Languages?

Fortunately, we did not encounter many language barriers during our program. In Pisa, which is known for its international students and tourists, communication was relatively easy. We picked up some vocabulary for supermarkets and other daily needs. In the UK, there was no language barrier since we speak English. In Japan, it was a bit more challenging, but we were there for a short time and relied on Google Translate. The people were very friendly and patient, which made the experience much easier. We took some Japanese language classes, but by the time we learned something useful or could say a few phrases, our Erasmus journey was already over.

Recommendations

I would highly recommend the Erasmus Mundus program to anyone who enjoys learning while exploring new places. It truly pushes you out of your comfort zone. Just when we started to feel comfortable in one location, we had to move to another. This program has significantly contributed to my personal development.

However, I did notice that the program I was enrolled in was not particularly strong in terms of technical content. This could have been due to the online classes we had to take because of COVID-19, as well as various delays caused by visa and travel restrictions at that time.

Looking back on the journey, I see that all my fellow participants are doing incredibly well now, and we created many wonderful memories together.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

No, I would not have done anything differently, because the journey was already fun and memorable.