Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Scholar Faisal Muneer from Pakistan Shares His Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the IMETE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program, Europe

My name is Faisal Muneer, and I am a chemical engineer with a focus on environmental sustainability and water treatment. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Professionally, I have worked as a Process Engineer, contributing to the design and implementation of wastewater treatment plants for both industrial and municipal applications.

Currently, I am part of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program in Environmental Technology and Engineering. In this international program, I had the opportunity to study across multiple European countries, including the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Belgium, gaining diverse academic exposure and intercultural experience. Through this program, I am specializing in areas such as wastewater treatment, circular economy, and sustainable resource management.

Educational Background

My educational background is highlighted in the introduction. I had been struggling hard to figure out the details of studying abroad. I spent so much time exploring countries and universities, and I applied to more than 10 programs. What helped me the most was connecting with relevant people on LinkedIn to ask for their guidance. I was working during the daytime on a job and spending lots of time at night preparing for IELTS, applications, writing LOMs, and compiling data. It took one year of effort to make it.

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

I have applied for so many scholarships and programs, mostly in the EU, like Turkiye Burslari scholarship, the Aalto University scholarship, and four applications of Erasmus.

All of them were very competitive, and I didn't think that I would stand out. I just took courage to prepare to the best that I could from guidance, and the rest of the things I left on God (Allah Almighty). This is how one day I got acceptance from one of the programs (IMETE).

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I got another acceptance from Aalto University, but that was partially funded.

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

The IMETE program is a Master’s in environmental and technology engineering focusing on wastewater treatment and resource recovery from sludge.

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 first semester was in the Czech Republic, very affordable regarding accommodation, transport, and education. However, Netherland is very expensive but somehow we are managing it. The third country is Belgium is also expensive like the Netherlands. In conclusion, savings are difficult in expensive countries so try to save in the country where the expenses are low.

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?

Yes, language is a major barrier in these countries, but during student life its fine to survive with English. It is recommended to start preparing for the language if you want to pursue your career in that country.

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

Yes, strongly recommended. The key advice that I can give is to be natural and be relevant. Explore the program and try to relate with your background, goals, and ambitions.

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

I took the advantage of my time and explored 5 other countries as a tourist, exploring the culture, people, and building a network.