Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Kaf from Bangladesh, Pursues a Master’s in Engineering of Data-Intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS) in Finland and Sweden

Hi, I'm Kaf. I am from Bangladesh. My core interests lie in developing algorithms for real-world problems covering domains like machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, and software development. As a person, I am a very optimistic, affable, and curious individual. Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I am passionate about sports, especially football, basketball, and badminton.

I am a Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) graduate and currently pursuing my Master's degree as an Erasmus Mundus Scholar in the Engineering of Data-Intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS) program, which focuses on Data Science, Intelligent Systems, and Software Engineering. The program is jointly offered by four universities across four countries. I began my first year at the host institution, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland. For the second year, students are allocated to one of the partner universities. This autumn, I started my second year at Mälardalen University – Västerås, Sweden. The other partner universities include the University of L’Aquila – L’Aquila, Italy, and the University of the Balearic Islands – Palma, Spain.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET). Alongside my academic studies, I actively participated in several international competitions, including the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), the Huawei ICT Skills Competition, and the HONDA Y-E-S (Young Engineers and Scientists) Award. These experiences allowed me to explore diverse domains such as algorithmic problem-solving, data communication, and machine learning.

In addition, I held multiple leadership positions both during my university years and earlier in high school. These roles helped me develop strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. Altogether, these academic and extracurricular experiences prepared me well for integration in a multicultural environment.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Throughout my Bachelor’s, I maintained a good academic standard and actively participated in various extracurricular activities. I didn’t specifically prepare for any scholarship; rather, I focused on keeping a strong academic record and taking part in different competitions. I also held various leadership positions in different clubs, which I believe helped strengthen my profile overall.

I applied only to the Erasmus program. In fact, I applied during the final year of my Bachelor’s (before finishing my degree). Since I was very busy with my studies at that time, I couldn’t afford to apply for many other scholarships. I strongly believe that preparing a good application takes time, so I focused on the quality of my application rather than the quantity. And to be honest, that approach worked well.

Some of the main reasons behind choosing Erasmus are that it is very prestigious, offers excellent funding (including travel allowance, installation costs, and a monthly stipend), and, most importantly, provides a joint Master’s degree offered by different universities across various countries. It’s an amazing experience to study in multiple countries while being exposed to diverse cultures and high-quality education.

I knew beforehand that getting an Erasmus Scholarship is highly competitive. Only 21 applicants received the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship out of around 500 applications worldwide, and from each country, a maximum of three people could be selected. Therefore, to earn the scholarship, one must be among the top three applicants from their country and strong enough to be considered for the limited slots.

In my opinion, besides having a strong academic background, one of the key aspects that made my application stand out was showing “strong relevance.” I demonstrated a clear connection between my background and the program I applied for, along with a clear vision and goal for my career. I believe this matters a lot — it’s not just about listing achievements but about connecting them meaningfully with the program you’re applying to.

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

The program I am currently enrolled in is the Engineering of Data-Intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS) program, which focuses on Data Science, Intelligent Systems, and Software Engineering. I started in August 2024 and am now pursuing the second year of my Master’s.  

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?

Umm, my first year was in Finland, and my second year is currently in Sweden. From my experience, the Nordic countries tend to be more expensive compared to other European regions. However, the funding provided by the Erasmus Mundus scholarship is generous and more than sufficient to comfortably cover living expenses in any European city. So, if someone receives the scholarship, managing the cost of living shouldn't be a major concern.

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?

The medium of instruction for my studies is English, so academically, I haven't faced any difficulties. In both Sweden and Finland, most people are comfortable speaking English, which makes day-to-day communication quite smooth. As a result, I haven’t encountered any major language barriers during my time in either country.

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

Yes, I would definitely recommend the Erasmus Mundus program. It's a truly enriching experience to study at different universities across multiple countries, both academically and culturally.

For prospective applicants, my key advice would be: take time to truly discover yourself—your goals, values, and long-term vision. Look for a program that aligns closely with who you are now and who you aspire to become. Then, when preparing your application, clearly present how you and the program are connected, how it can shape your future, and how your background fits into its structure. Framing this connection in a thoughtful, bidirectional way can make your application stand out.

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

Umm, I’d say, I could have managed my time schedule in a better way and travelled a bit more.