Amsterdam Merit Scholar, Melina Coelho Garcia from Brazil, Pursues a Master’s in International Trade and Investment Law at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hey! My name is Melina Coelho Garcia, I am 24 years old, and I come from Fortaleza, Brazil, where I started my legal studies at the Federal University of Ceará. I moved to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, in August 2024 to pursue a Master’s degree in the University of Amsterdam’s programme for International Trade and Investment Law. This programme is focused on providing a further assessment of International Economic Law, with a special focus on international trade and investment rules. I applied to this programme because, since my very first year of legal studies, I had the desire to explore with more detail the world of international trade law, free trade agreements, and regulatory barriers to trade, with a special attention to the intersection between the fight against climate change and international trade.

Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Details

As an international student from outside the European Union, the international student fee would apply to me. However, I was granted the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship by the University of Amsterdam, representing an amount of EUR 14.500.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

In addition to the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, the School of Law of the University of Amsterdam granted me the Law School Scholarship, in the amount of EUR 4.530

Educational Background

Since I started my bachelor's, I already knew that I wanted to pursue another degree outside of Brazil. I believe that having an international experience not only expands our knowledge in the specific subject we are studying, but also opens our perspectives to many other issues that we encounter in our daily lives as students, professionals, and citizens. Having this in mind, I applied myself since the very beginning of my legal studies to have the best grades, which allowed me to finish my bachelor’s with a 9.7 grade (out of 10). I also made sure to take part in research groups, being chosen as General Director of the Research Group on Law and International Affairs. I also participated in moot competitions, as well as volunteered in NGOs, having also founded an NGO in 2021, the “Projeto Deixa Fluir” (or “Let it Flow Project”), dedicated to the fight against period poverty in my state, Ceará. In the specific field of International Trade Law, I joined the organisation “Women Inside Trade”, a Brazilian association made by and for women, to empower us working with international trade, share insights, and support us in our work and research.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Amsterdam?

In 2023, during my last year of my bachelor’s degree, I knew I wanted to continue my studies by pursuing a Master’s degree outside Brazil. So I started looking for programmes that aligned with my main interests, under the broader field of international economic law. By doing this research, I focused on the following information: (i) where the programmes are based; (ii) whether there were any possibilities of funding; (iii) whether there were professors whose line of research matched my interests. And this is how I got to my programme.

How Did You Find Information About the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and the University of Amsterdam?

I mainly checked the university's websites, but also online forums regarding scholarships for international students. I also contacted previous students from my university in Brazil who had pursued their Master’s or PhD’s degrees outside Brazil. I would ask them for tips on how to prepare, but also sources on where I could find opportunities for scholarships.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

To study at the UvA, I had to take the IELTS. I already had a relatively good level in English, but to prepare for the exam, specifically, I used online free websites, which simulate the listening, writing, and reading parts of the exam. For the speaking part of the exam, I practised with friends who were already fluent in English, and asked them to review my responses to standard questions from previous IELTS exams.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship?

The differential aspect to apply for this scholarship is the motivation letter. So I wrote many motivation letters, based on my background and personal story, and asked friends and professors to review, as well as colleagues I knew who had been granted scholarships in the past. Applying for a scholarship and writing a motivation letter is mainly about knowing yourself and knowing how to tell your own story.

How Is (was) Your Experience at the University of Amsterdam?

I had a brilliant time while studying at UvA, but also in Amsterdam. First, I had the opportunity to finally be in a truly international environment, with students from different backgrounds. This makes you more aware of where you come from, but also where you want to be, with whom you want to be, and doing what. At UvA, I also had the chance to explore new topics that I had not had the opportunity to explore before, while receiving amazing support from my thesis supervisor and from other professors who trusted my work.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Dutch?

In English.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically, Not Knowing Dutch?

Amsterdam and, by consequence, the University of Amsterdam, is a very international place to be. You are able to study, live, and work only by speaking English. But if I can leave a tip, do put your greatest effort into learning Dutch. First, this opens doors to you, both academically, culturally, socially, and professionally. Second, it is a sign of respect to this country and its culture.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

How honest I was with who I am. I did not have a very internationalised background, nor did I come from a family with many privileges, nor did I have a very extraordinary story growing up. I do consider myself pretty ordinary. However, I could tell in my application that I indeed had a dream - the dream of studying abroad, knowing from the best professionals in the field I was interested in, so I could apply this to something indeed useful for society. And this was not only in my speech - it was in the experiences I had in life, in the time I had as a researcher, still during my bachelor’s, or in the time when I founded an NGO because I believed in something, and I wanted to do something about it. It is therefore showing that you not only believe in something, but that you are able to do something with your knowledge.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have started preparing earlier, getting to know more universities, more programmes, and, in the end, getting to know more of Amsterdam before moving to the city.

I would also have tried to organise myself financially more in advance. Amsterdam is an expensive city, and even with funding, you need to have an extra source of revenue to live here.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

First of all, make sure this is the one you are looking for - I believe that successful applicants are those who can demonstrate, through words, their real intention of becoming part of that institution.

Moreover, reflect on your story, your background. Why would this scholarship and this programme be the perfect fit in your career? Answer this first to yourself, then make it clear in your motivation letter.

Finally, ask for help and support from friends, professors, or even people you do not know, but who have been through a similar process. Everyone always has something to add, and this can help you build strong connections.