Indian Fisheries Graduate Wins Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to Study Aquaculture Across UK, Greece, and France

I am Kashvi Kajal, presently enrolled in the fully funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Aquaculture, Environment and Society (ACES-STAR). This programme is divided into three countries: the first semester at SAMS, Oban, UK; the second semester at the University of Crete, Greece; and the third semester at Nantes University, France. However, the last semester depends on the student and can be conducted in any country, based on their chosen dissertation topic. I am conducting my research at the University of Stirling, UK, in one of the most remarkable institutes in the field of aquaculture.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor’s in Fisheries Science from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – College of Fisheries, Dholi, India. I started preparing a year before joining this Erasmus programme. It was not an easy journey to prepare while also pursuing my bachelor's studies. It required a lot of effort and consistency. This scholarship requires certain things like IELTS and good grades as well. In the second last semester of my bachelor's, I went to two very reputable research institutes in India for two months of training: the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology in Kochi, India, and the National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training. This helped me a lot—I gained knowledge and skills and was able to build a strong Curriculum Vitae, which is a key requirement for this scholarship. That training helped me in lab work and is still helping me today.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarships?

I applied for Erasmus because it is one of the most prestigious scholarships for a Master’s degree. It offers global exposure and the opportunity to study at different institutes recognized for their excellence in various countries. For example, the third semester of ACES-STAR is in Nantes, which specializes in shellfish aquaculture.

It is a very competitive scholarship; it receives thousands of applications every year. I still believe my strong CV and motivational letter helped me achieve this scholarship.

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

This programme focuses on different types of aquaculture: seaweed culture, finfish culture, shellfish culture, and Environmental Impact Assessment. At the University of Crete, Greece, we had courses centered on fish health management and finfish culture.

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?

This programme offers a full-time scholarship for two years. It is coordinated in the UK and two European countries. Living expenses in the UK are quite high compared to those in European countries. Living in France was very affordable compared to the other two locations because the French government offers Campus France services, which provide rent deductions for student housing. We also received university accommodation in France, which made living there very convenient.

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?

There was some language barrier in France, but we received free French classes, and I achieved A1 level proficiency in French. It was an excellent opportunity to learn the language.

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

I would definitely recommend this programme to anyone interested in aquaculture and looking to gain more specialized skills in different areas of the field. This is a fully funded programme for two years. It offers the opportunity to connect with people on global aquaculture platforms and to build strong networks.

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

I will definitely say yes. I have learned many lab skills through this programme. Apart from academics, it also taught me to be independent and confident. Travelling across different countries and attending seminars has made me more confident day by day.