How a Filipino Scholar Secured the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for an MSc in Brain and Data Science (NeuroData) Across Israel, Croatia, and Portugal

I am Don Enrico Buebos-Esteve, hailing from Metro Manila, Philippines. I am a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) Program in Brain and Data Science (NeuroData) for the 2024-2026 cohort. This program takes me to three Mediterranean countries–Israel, Croatia, and Portugal. The cultural diversity within these countries parallels my scientific interests, spanning across multiple fields–from ecological modeling to electromagnetic brain imaging, and everything in between.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biology Major in Medical Biology at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, in 2023. I attribute my preparation and eventual success to the research group–ICOLABB–which I belonged to during my latter and post-undergraduate years. During my time there, I immersed myself in biological in silico research unrecognized in my country. Despite eventually garnering recognition and publication, it was my realization of the gaps in Filipino science and technology that remains as the most important outcome of my work. Hence, it was not the intense academic curriculum but the “ICOLABBorators” I had that holistically–motivationally, mentally, and emotionally–prepared me for my Erasmus journey.

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

Rejections were the highlight of my applications. When I have decided to pursue my master’s degree abroad in 2024, I applied to more than 20 institutions and scholarship giving bodies from all over the globe. All but one–the EMJM NeuroData Program–returned a negative response. Even their initial offer was for a self-funded position, but my persistence–and perhaps some hint of luck–led to me being awarded the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. My journey chronicles how global scholarships are truly extremely competitive, but having an adaptive mindset, ensuring your fit to the program, and banking on your advantages goes a long way. In my case, these advantages were my capacity for research highlighted through a convincing motivation letter and backed by credible recommendation letters–three C’s!

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

As a Joint Masters Program, the NeuroData Program offers a double degree. The first one is M.Sc. Brain and Data Science hosted by Bar-Ilan University in Israel, and the other, in my case, is M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering hosted by Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal. This two-year program fulfills the need for professionals, at the intersection of computational neuroscience and biomedical engineering, who can bridge this gap and grasp the final frontier of humanity–understanding the human brain and mind. Among the diversity of research fields in this program, my focus is on the analysis of magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signals for cognitive research.

A comprehensive overview of the program is found here: https://www.neurodata-master.org/

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?

My transition from Manila to Tel Aviv, the economic center of Israel and globally known for its high cost of living, was financially shocking. Basic commodities and rent occupy more than half of my monthly stipend. Still, I managed with the generosity of my newfound peers, mentors, and program administrators. The latter even covered expenses for several cultural trips, with swimming in the Dead Sea being the highlight. I also befriended many local citizens, all of whom kindly helped me to navigate living alone in a foreign country.

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?

While everyone in the Brain Center of Bar-Ilan University were fluent in English, most locals were not as they preferred speaking in Hebrew or Arabic. It was also impossible to learn either language in less than a year. Hence, this led to some difficulties in acquiring products, opening bank accounts, expressing our concerns, among many others. I overcame these issues through the assistance of the International Office of Bar-Ilan University. Thankfully, the medium of instruction is English throughout the NeuroData Program.

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

Mobility learning is the cornerstore of any EMJM Program. More than academics, it is also important to immerse oneself in various cultures as it fosters personal growth and, more importantly, helps identify the needs and opportunities for development in one's home country. Therefore, I absolutely recommend applying for, and if permitted, partaking in an Erasmus Mundus Program. My sole advice for those considering this scholarship is to acknowledge the responsibility of being an Erasmus Mundus scholar–to willfully serve as lifelong ambassadors and represent your home country in each of your mobility countries.

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

Every experience I had, having, and will have as an Erasmus Mundus scholar–highs and lows, twists and turns, and successes and failures–is momentous. I would not exchange these for anything. My personal and professional growth is continuously being shaped by these experiences.