Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Sandra Adjeiwaa from Ghana, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Master’s in Multiphase Systems and Sustainable Engineering Across France, Italy, and Germany

I am Sandra Adjeiwaa from Ghana. I began my Erasmus Mundus journey in 2024 as a master’s student in Multiphase Systems and Sustainable Engineering. My academic path has taken me from École des Mines de Saint-Étienne (EMSE) in France, where I specialized in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, to Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo) in Italy, where I studied Chemical and Sustainable Process Engineering. I am currently at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where I am expanding my expertise in advanced Materials Science and Engineering.

Educational Background 

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Petrochemical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. Academically, this training provided me with a strong foundation that has been essential to building my career and pursuing postgraduate education. The courses I completed during my undergraduate studies made a significant contribution to the success of my application to the Erasmus Mundus programme and have continued to support my academic performance throughout the programme.

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

Most Erasmus Mundus programmes are highly competitive. I began my preparation by first gaining a clear understanding of myself, my strengths, my competitive advantages, and weakness. This self-assessment was essential, as I needed to convincingly present my profile to evaluators who did not know me and to demonstrate why I deserved admission to the programme and the associated scholarship.

After this initial reflection, I made sure to thoroughly understand the programme requirements and structure. I then prepared my application documents, including my motivation letter, curriculum vitae, proof of English proficiency, and other supporting materials. I believe what distinguished my application was my ability to clearly and specifically articulate my goals, interests, and skills, and to demonstrate how they aligned with the objectives of the programme.

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

I am pursuing a master’s programme in Multiphase Systems for Sustainable Process Engineering. By design, the programme offers students the unique opportunity to earn three master’s degrees across three different countries. These are a Master’s degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Chemical and Sustainable Process Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering.

The programme is interdisciplinary and welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds, including Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, and other closely related fields.

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?

I have studied in France, Italy, and Germany, and I observed that the cost of living varies not only by country but also significantly by city. While some cities have a relatively high cost of living, others are more affordable. During my studies, I lived in Saint-Étienne in France, Turin in Italy, and Munich in Germany. Based on my experience, Saint-Étienne had the lowest cost of living, whereas Munich was the most expensive.

I was well informed about these cost differences before the start of my programme. As a result, I planned accordingly by saving more while living in the lower-cost city, which allowed me to live comfortably during my time in the higher-cost cities.

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 language of instruction for my programme is English across all three countries. However, students are permitted to take local language courses on a voluntary basis. I only encountered language barriers when communicating with local residents in the cities, which occasionally included interactions with landlords.

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

Yes, I would highly recommend the Erasmus Mundus Programme to anyone considering postgraduate education. The experience is truly phenomenal. The opportunity to learn about diverse and beautiful cultures, and to interact with people from different backgrounds, is invaluable.

For prospective applicants, I would advise gaining a thorough understanding of the specific programme you intend to apply for, as this will enable you to structure your application documents more effectively and present a stronger, more compelling profile.

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

I am still pursuing my programme; however, if there is anything I would do differently in the earlier semesters, it would be to make more time to travel to different cities and to explore a wider variety of local cuisines.