Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Jay Tering from the Philippines, Completes the Joint Master’s in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society (ACES)

I am Jay Tering from the island of Mindanao, Philippines. I am a graduate of the Joint Master of Science in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society (EMJMD-ACES). After my ACES journey, I went back to the Philippines to teach at a university and be involved in research and extension projects to pursue both my passion and advocacy to educate and spread awareness about sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to the younger generations and the communities.

Educational Background 

Before joining the Erasmus Mundus program, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, where I focused on topics such as aquaculture, aquatic health management, and sustainable aquaculture. After I graduated, I worked in a Thailand-based aquaculture company where I got the chance to be sent to Thailand for further training and skills enhancement. After which, I worked on my university’s research project on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture of Penaeus monodon, where I got the chance to present a paper internationally.

These experiences not only provided me with technical knowledge but also taught me how to work with people from different backgrounds, adapt to field conditions, and apply scientific principles in a real-world context. Furthermore, I participated in some events of the University, including seminars and trainings that brought in international partners and multidisciplinary experts, which helped me to communicate well with other nationalities, and be open-minded to everyone’s beliefs and cultures. With these, I think it gave me an edge for thriving in a multi-country and multicultural Erasmus Mundus program.

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

Erasmus Mundus was the only scholarship for which I applied successfully. I was advised to apply for the Japan MEXT Scholarship, KOICA scholarship, NTU scholarship, AIT scholarship, and VLIR-OUS, but it was all unsuccessful because I got so busy with the IMTA research projects that I missed all the deadlines. I submitted my Erasmus Mundus ACES application 1 hour before the deadline. Some of the requirements were common for some of the scholarships, such as a transcript of records, a diploma, and a letter of recommendation. The only thing that took me so long to submit was my application form and my language certificate. During my preparation for my institution and scholarship, I was filling out my application forms. Some of the questions were personal, especially about my plans and things that I anticipated in the program. The answers I gave were heartfelt and were based on my passion and advocacy. There, I commit to be back to the Philippines after earning the degree to bring and share all the learnings and experiences with my countrymen, especially in the local Universities and Colleges. In addition, honesty and integrity are also important while answering the questions. And lastly, follow the instructions.

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

Aquaculture is the science of rearing and culturing aquatic animals for the purpose of food security, industrial, medical, pharmacological, and many other uses, either in controlled conditions or in an open space. However, EMJMD ACES is an interdisciplinary and sustainable development challenge in aquaculture, including nutrition, disease, feed formulation, ecotoxicology, genetics, welfare, biosecurity, spatial planning, etc. This program allowed us to explore the aquaculture industry of Scotland (First semester), such as salmon farming, oyster farming, macro and micro algae culture. Then, we experienced the Greek (Second Semester) culture and advanced aquaculture technology of sea bass and sea bream, and the studies on zebra fish that give importance to animal/fish welfare. After which, we went to France for the third semester, and the Professors taught us and showed us more about bivalve farming, diatom culture, and metal and metabolite extraction from marine organisms. All in all, it widened my perspective about sustainability; it’s not only about production, but it is also about maintaining environmental safety, ecological stability, profitability, and social acceptance.

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 so different between Western Europe (the UK and France) and Southern Europe (Greece). In Scotland, house/apartment rental and electric bills were so expensive. With this, I only saved a little money for my next semester. However, the presence of Fellow Filipinos in Oban reduced the financial struggle, especially during winter. The next most expensive country was France; its food commodities are more than those of Greece but less than those of Scotland. However, due to their government social assistance, we received rental discounts that helped reduce our financial burden. In addition, the budget for food was saved due to the 3 NGO’s that gave free food and some items on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. During our time in Greece, everything was cheap, but I spent more money buying the bus tickets because we had to travel every day for the class, except on weekends. Both in France and Greece, I was able to save money. But these savings did not last long due to Visa processing and plane ticket reservations.

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, especially during my first day in Scotland, when I got interviewed by the immigration officer. I thought that the accent would be similar to the English accent I always hear in the movies, but it was too different and hard to understand. However, over time, I started to appreciate it and got used to it. In addition, during our time in Greece and France, we tried to learn some Greek and French words that are commonly used, especially for greetings and counting. During classes, the professors speak English.

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

I recommend the Erasmus Mundus program to other students as their program for their Master’s degree because it’s a complete package. The universities are part of the top-performing schools globally, the professors are excellent in their field of specialization, especially in research, the facilities are great, and the means of instruction are high in standards. Aside from the academics, it taught us to value and appreciate the differences and similarities of every culture and tradition of every European country that we visited.

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

Yeah, I could have gone to Oban, Scotland, earlier, so I could experience more of the friendly community of the town. Second, I could have travelled to more countries with my friends and classmates during the breaks. Other than these, everything I experienced was almost perfect. Thank you so much, my ACES family.