How a Pakistani Scholar Secured the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to Study a Master's in Adult Education for Social Change Across the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Estonia, and Cyprus

Hello, I'm Khedija. My background includes a bachelor's degree from Fatima Jinnah Women’s University in the Gender Studies department. I received my Master's Scholarship in Adult Education for Social Change. I studied in the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Estonia, and the Open University of Cyprus. Prior to my Erasmus experience, I worked as a Program Manager at Amal Academy and completed a fellowship with Teach for Pakistan for two years while working in Pakistan. Additionally, I served as Team Lead for the Teach For All Mental Health and Wellbeing Community, but I began my journey as an intern at Cesvi Pakistan, an Italian organization.

Educational Background

Since the beginning of my bachelor's program, I had planned to study abroad, and I knew I would need a strong GPA for it. I focused on achieving as high a GPA as I could, ultimately reaching a 3.9 CGPA. I also participated in many extracurricular activities, such as the Susan B. Anthony Reading Room at the university, funded by USEFP in Pakistan. Additionally, I took part in entrepreneurial activities and community projects for my various courses. I also focused on developing my research skills early in my Bachelor's degree. I also prepared extensively for my IELTS before taking my test and got 8 out of 9 bands for it.

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

I applied for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship because of the experience of traveling around Europe and exploring different universities' educational cultures. It was highly competitive, with a 3% chance of selection. I pursued the International Master's in Adult Education for Social Change, focusing on Gender and Community Education, because I wanted it to connect with what I had studied and worked in before. As I was working in the field of education and had a degree in gender, it aligned more with my interests.

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 varied across all the countries, with the UK and Ireland being the most expensive due to currency differences and climate. Estonia was the most affordable country, making it manageable with careful planning. In Estonia, the primary language is Estonian, while in Ireland and the UK, English is predominantly spoken. Therefore, I did not encounter any language problems while studying in the UK and Ireland, but it was cheaper to live in Estonia. The mode of instruction in all the countries was English, making it much easier for me to study.

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

I would recommend this program to others because experiencing it changes you. I suggest that you choose this program only if you are self-sufficient and do not shy away from challenges. Moving from country to country every semester comes with its share of issues, and if you rely heavily on others and struggle with independence, it could be a tough journey for you. If I had to do it again, I would put more effort into researching how to manage my cultural immersion experiences. At times, I found myself too focused on the academic side and may have missed out on some opportunities the place had to offer. Nonetheless, I’m delighted with how this journey turned out. I met many wonderful people, visited amazing places, and my worldview changed by the end of it; I wouldn’t change it for anything.