Olawale Quadri Ogunsola’s Erasmus Mundus Journey: Three MSc Degrees Across Europe in Groundwater and Global Change

My name is Olawale Quadri Ogunsola. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology, specializing in Hydrology, from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Nigeria. In 2020, I was one of two Nigerians selected and accepted into the Groundwater and Global Change – Impacts and Adaptation (GroundwatCh) program, which is part of the Erasmus Mundus initiative funded by the European Union.

Through this program, I earned three MSc degrees: an MSc in Environmental Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal; an MSc in Water Science and Engineering from the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education in Delft, Netherlands; and an MSc in Hydroscience and Engineering from Technische Universität Dresden in Dresden, Germany. Additionally, I gained valuable fieldwork experience in France. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Toledo in the United States.

Educational Background

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology (Hydrology Option), graduating with First-Class honours and as the best student in my cohort. I have received multiple awards and scholarships both within and outside my alma mater. My background is notable because many pursue Water Resources Management at the MSc level, making my journey unique.

During my undergraduate studies, I conducted tutorials for my peers and lower-level students in challenging courses. I also completed several courses essential for understanding the core concepts of an MSc programme, particularly because the Erasmus Mundus programme is known for its academic rigour and requires a solid foundation of knowledge in the required discipline.

Additionally, I gained practical experience through internships, such as conducting geophysical surveys for groundwater prospecting, exploration, and exploitation in Nigeria. These experiences have equipped me to handle the academic challenges of the programme and engage effectively with diverse perspectives and lifestyles while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Since I come from a warmer climate, I recognise the need to prepare for the different weather conditions by acquiring appropriate clothing and footwear and adjusting accordingly.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for these Institutions?

Most Erasmus Mundus programmes have a centralized system to coordinate the application process. My programme is no different. The coordinating university is the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, and the application process is straightforward and follows typical procedures for most scholarships. I submitted all the required documents for the scholarship through the IHE-Delft application portal, indicating my intention to apply for the scholarship. It is as simple and straightforward as that.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Erasmus Mundus Scholarships?

Nothing is certain in life, and this also applies to scholarship applications. I applied to three Erasmus Mundus programmes, which was the maximum allowed during my time (I hear this limit has since changed). Among those, I included my preferred GroundwatCh programme and pursued other scholarships, such as the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) in the Netherlands, which aligned with my background.

I have always loved studying in the Netherlands during my BSc, primarily because the country ranks highly in my chosen field. Understanding my limited resources, I believe in prioritising quality over quantity, so I applied for around 5-6 scholarships in total.

For the Erasmus Mundus applications, I submitted my application for GroundwatCh, Flood Risk Management (FRM), and the International Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Engineering (IMETE). All of these programmes share a common coordinating university, the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands. For the Orange Knowledge Programme, I applied to 2-3 water-related programmes at Wageningen University, also in the Netherlands.

Given my background and future interests, GroundwatCh was my top choice, and I was fortunate enough to be awarded a place. My application stood out due to my academic background and grades. I also received support from past awardees who reviewed my motivation letter, as well as strong recommendation letters.

In terms of competitiveness, the programme is rigorous. In my cohort, we have two Nigerians, including me. Additionally, there were three Africans: two from Nigeria and one from Uganda. This trend was consistent across other continents, as my cohort consisted of over 22 individuals from 15 different countries across five continents.

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

I completed an Erasmus Mundus programme focused on Groundwater and Global Change – Impacts and Adaptation. I obtained three MSc degrees: one in Environmental Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal; another in Water Science and Engineering from the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education in Delft, Netherlands; and a third in Hydroscience and Engineering from Technische Universität Dresden in Dresden, Germany. Additionally, throughout the programme, we gained practical experience in fieldwork in Marseille, France, in the Alps region (with opportunities for sightseeing😊), though we found little time for tourism due to the demands of the fieldwork.

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 varies widely from country to country. The Netherlands is the most expensive in terms of rents, while Germany is the cheapest. Portugal falls somewhere in between. However, when it comes to the availability of different African cuisines and options for people with dietary restrictions (such as halal, which I follow), the Netherlands ranks the highest. IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands also offers free tea and coffee.

For those who enjoy nightlife, Portugal is ideal for late-night parties, while the Netherlands is renowned for its weekend barbecues among students.

Regarding financial management, I'm not the type to enjoy eating out. I prefer to control my diet for personal and religious reasons, so I generally cook my own meals. I once mistakenly ate a pork product in Portugal, thinking that the snacks "should contain pork products" in them. I learned the hard way that I was mistaken!

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, I faced a language barrier. That is one of the limitations and strengths of Erasmus Mundus (depending on perspective). Because most Europeans speak their respective languages, regardless of the country's size, adaptability is key if one wants to study in Europe. My interest in learning any of the languages is low (because of my mobility, I do not know how I can learn three languages and combine that with academics).

Fortunately, my programme is conducted in English, including all the mobility universities. Some of my university mobilities, such as Portugal and Germany, also offered language classes for those interested, at little to no cost.

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

Absolutely, YES! This experience has transformed my life for the better. I strongly advise those who are hopeful about this journey to solidify their academic understanding, learn new tools (such as models, coding, programs, and software), volunteer, and most importantly, believe in themselves. I want to emphasize this point because I encountered the same challenge in this area during the program's initial stages. It wasn’t until after graduation that I realized my peers faced the same insecurities at the start. However, our ways of coping differed. They showed confidence while I displayed vulnerability. That changed my perspective forever. Please don’t interpret this as asking for help being a sign of weakness. In fact, it marks the beginning of addressing those vulnerabilities. My main message here is to believe in oneself.

Additionally, those coming from backgrounds with strong communal support should be prepared to become more independent in Western countries, including the United States of America.

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

Yes, believing in myself more! Learning that I am not the only one in the struggle and having accountability partners to share memories.