Pakistani Social Worker Shares His Journey Through Four Countries with the Erasmus Mundus ESWOCHY Scholarship

My name is Idrees Hadi Khan, and I come from Dir, a beautiful region located in the northern part of Pakistan, known for its stunning mountains and rich tourism culture. I did my Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Peshawar, afterwards, I worked in many capacities like a youth worker and a school social worker.

One of my proudest achievements is becoming the pioneer of school social work in Pakistan, an accomplishment that holds great personal value to me. Later, I applied for the Erasmus Mundus program because of its relevance to my passion for working with children and youth, especially focusing on mental health. The European Joint Master in Social Work with Children and Youth (ESWOCHY) program provided me with a unique opportunity to study across universities in four European countries: Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania; Riga Stradins University, Latvia; Catholic University in Slovakia; and Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal. Through this program, I gained diverse perspectives, developed a deeper cultural understanding, and built lifelong friendships with people from all over the world.

Educational Background

Before joining the Erasmus Mundus program, I studied Social Work at the University of Peshawar. During my time at the university, I was not only focused on my academic studies but also actively engaged in volunteer work within my community. I was deeply involved in volunteering for five years in my community, which helped me develop a profound understanding of social, psychological and academic issues, especially the challenges faced by children and youth. I noticed that these problems were often ignored in our society, especially in educational settings. This realization sparked my passion for addressing these challenges and highlighted how important it is to support the mental and social well-being of students and young people.

Through this volunteer work, I was able to identify gaps in the system and recognized the urgent need for more awareness and intervention. Based on these observations, I created both short-term and long-term goals to improve mental health support and social services for youth and children. These goals aligned with my desire to create a positive impact in the field of social work, which later became a driving force behind my decision to apply for the Erasmus Mundus program.

My academic background, along with my experience working with youth and children, gave me a strong foundation for the multi-country experience in the Erasmus program. It helped me understand the complexities of mental health and social issues across different cultures, and I was determined to explore ways to address these challenges more effectively on a global scale.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Institution?

To apply for the Erasmus Mundus program, I followed a systematic approach. First, I researched thoroughly about the program to ensure it aligned with my academic background and career goals. I learned that the program focused on social work with children and youth, specifically in the context of mental health and social development, which perfectly matched my interests.

Next, I carefully tailored my application materials to highlight my experiences as a school social worker, youth worker, and volunteer. I made sure that all my required documents reflected my dedication to improving the well-being of children and youth in my community. Additionally, I took extra care in explaining how the Erasmus Mundus program aligned with my career goals, particularly in terms of how it would help me contribute to the development of school social work in Pakistan.

I also reached out to previous Erasmus students and faculty members to gather tips and advice on how to strengthen my application. Overall, my preparation involved a lot of research, networking, and ensuring that my experiences and future goals were clearly aligned with the program’s mission.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarships?

Before I decided on applying for Erasmus Mundus, I applied for several other scholarships, including the Turkey Government Scholarship and King Abdulaziz University Scholarships. I was accepted to Deanship of Graduate Studies, fully funded scholarship scholarship, at King Abdulaziz University to study Sociology. These scholarships were also appealing to me, as they offered opportunities to study abroad and gain international experience. However, when I discovered the Erasmus Mundus program, I realized that it was the perfect fit for my goals.

The Erasmus Mundus program specifically focused on mental health and social work with children and youth, which was exactly what I wanted to pursue. The chance to study in multiple countries and engage with students from different cultures also made the Erasmus program stand out from the other scholarships I had applied to. It was not just about earning a degree; it was about experiencing a multicultural educational environment and learning from diverse perspectives.

The competition for Erasmus was tough since they only select one student from each country. I believe my application stood out because I was able to clearly demonstrate my relevant work experience and my long-term commitment to improving the lives of children and youth, particularly in Pakistan. My background as the pioneer of school social work in Pakistan helped me showcase my unique contribution to the field, which made me a strong candidate for the program.

Could you briefly discuss the Erasmus Mundus program you pursued and the specific field of study it focused on?

The Erasmus Mundus European Joint Master in Social Work with Children and Youth (ESWOCHY) is a specialized program that focuses on social work and its applications in the field of children and youth, with a particular emphasis on mental health and social development. The program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how social work practices can be adapted across different countries and cultures to address the mental health challenges faced by children and youth.

Through the Erasmus Mundus program, I had the opportunity to study in four different European countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, and Portugal, each of which provided me with a unique perspective on social work practices. We discussed and learned about different cultural approaches to social work, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of how to adapt social work interventions to different cultural and societal contexts.

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 was quite different across the countries I studied in. Lithuania and Latvia were relatively affordable, with lower housing and food costs. These countries allowed me to live comfortably on a modest budget. Slovakia was moderate in terms of living costs; it wasn’t too expensive, but it wasn’t cheap either. However, Portugal was the most expensive country I studied in. Housing, food, and transportation costs in Lisbon were significantly higher compared to the other countries I lived in.

To manage my finances, I carefully planned my budget before each semester. I saved money during my time in the more affordable countries, which allowed me to handle the higher costs in Portugal. The Erasmus Mundus scholarship was incredibly helpful in this regard, as it covered most of my living and tuition expenses. I also made use of student discounts and always looked for budget-friendly options to manage daily 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?

Yes, I did face some language barriers while living in Europe, especially when dealing with local people who did not speak English. However, I found that learning a few basic phrases in each country's local language helped me a lot in everyday situations. For instance, in Lithuania, I learned how to say "Labas" (Hello), in Latvia "Sveiki" (Hello), in Slovakia "Dobrý deň" (Good day), and in Portugal "Olá" (Hello). These simple greetings made a huge difference in how I connected with locals.

The good thing about the Erasmus Mundus program was that the language of instruction was always English in all the countries, so there was no issue with academic communication. The professors and fellow students spoke English, which made it easier for me to follow the coursework and engage in classroom discussions.

Would you recommend the Erasmus Mundus program to others? What advice would you give to someone considering this scholarship?

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Erasmus Mundus program to anyone who wants to experience life in different countries while gaining high-quality education. This program is truly a unique opportunity that combines academic excellence, cultural exchange, and personal growth. You’ll not only gain knowledge in your field of study but also develop lifelong friendships and gain insights into diverse cultures.

My advice to anyone considering this scholarship would be:

1. Research the program thoroughly and make sure it aligns with your career goals.
2. Prepare your application with care and show how your past experiences and future aspirations fit the program’s mission.
3. Be open to learning from people of different cultures and backgrounds.
4. Embrace the challenges of living in different countries, including cultural differences and language barriers. It’s all part of the adventure.
5. Enjoy every moment because this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Looking back, would you have done anything differently during your time in the program?

If I had the chance to go back, I would have focused more on learning the local languages in the countries I studied in. While I was able to manage with English, knowing the local languages would have allowed me to immerse myself even deeper into the culture and connect more meaningfully with local people. I also wish I had done more networking within the program, as many of my peers were doing groundbreaking research in social work and other related fields. Additionally, I would have taken on more volunteer opportunities outside of the academic setting to gain even more practical experience.

Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank the ESWOCHY coordinator Prof. Dr. Raminta Bardauskienė, the admission committee, Europe Union and Europe Commission for their trust in me. I am truly grateful for the opportunity they have provided, and I deeply appreciate being considered for this amazing experience. ESWOCHY is now my family, and I feel blessed to be a part of this lovely family. This program has opened so many doors for me, and I will always be thankful for the chance to grow, learn, and contribute to the field of social work.