An Indian Scholar Receives the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to Study BIOCEB Across France, Estonia, and Belgium

My name is Sandra Babu, and I’m from India. I’m a 2023 Erasmus Mundus Master’s Scholar studying the European Master’s in Biological & Chemical Engineering for a Sustainable Bioeconomy (BIOCEB). BIOCEB is a 2-year joint master’s program that prepares future research and innovation managers to tackle global bioeconomy challenges. It awards a triple master’s degree upon completion, with a vision centered on using biological resources sustainably, preserving biodiversity, and fostering a circular economy. The program allows students with a background in biology-related disciplines to specialize in biotechnologies while developing a systemic approach to value chains. BIOCEB is a consortium of five universities across Europe, and based on my specialization and interests, I was assigned to the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne in France, Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia, and the University of Liège - Gembloux Agro-BioTech in Belgium. I am currently finishing my semester in Belgium and searching for industries or research labs in another country for my thesis.

Educational Background 

I completed my bachelor’s degree in biotechnology at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education in India, focusing on medical biotechnology and bioprocessing. I graduated with honors, holding first rank and a gold medal, with a CGPA of 9.15/10. My bachelor’s thesis was conducted at a private company located within the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. Traveling was something I was passionate about, even alongside my studies, which led me to explore universities in Europe and scholarship programs that could support a higher degree. I have always loved meeting new people, experiencing diverse cultures, and learning new languages, which naturally prepared me for the multi-country experience.

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

I began researching master’s programs and scholarships very early, from my first year of university, knowing I wanted to pursue a master’s degree abroad, especially in Europe. I looked into universities and scholarships regularly and prepared myself for the challenges involved. Knowing that a language test was often required, I prepared for IELTS on my own. I had an IELTS score of 7.5. Later, through social media and online research, I learned about the Erasmus Mundus program, which attracted me because of its mobility option—perfect for someone who loves travel like me.

I began researching master’s programs and scholarships very early, from my first year of university, knowing I wanted to pursue a master’s degree abroad, especially in Europe. I looked into universities and scholarships regularly and prepared myself for the challenges involved. Knowing that a language test was often required, I prepared for IELTS on my own. Later, through social media and online research, I learned about the Erasmus Mundus program, which attracted me because of its mobility option—perfect for someone who loves travel like me.

I visited the Erasmus Mundus program catalog to explore options in biotechnology, eventually discovering BIOCEB. This program was the only Erasmus option I applied for, as I found it matched my interests perfectly and I received a fully funded scholarship. Erasmus Mundus scholarships provide partial or full financial support, covering tuition fees, visa expenses, travel expenses to Europe as well as the mobility between the countries in the duration of 2 years, living expenses per month, and installation costs in each country, which made it feasible to live comfortably in Europe. Fortunately, I received a fully funded scholarship of 49,000 euros so, in total, I didn’t have to pay anything. These programs are highly competitive and reputable; for example, BIOCEB accepts only 20-25 students, with limits on the number of students from each country. I believe my strong academic background, well-defined career goals, and clear understanding of how this master’s degree would support my future helped my application stand out. The selection procedure was in two rounds of application evaluation by the selection committee of the university involved in the consortium followed by an interview.

Besides the Erasmus Mundus Program, I applied to some of the prestigious universities in Denmark and Germany. All these applications resulted in positive responses, some of them included program-specific scholarships offered by individual departments. In general, the individual departments, especially when you are applying for a master’s degree in the engineering field will provide scholarships to the top applicants which can cover partially or fully your tuition fees during your duration of study. This selection was based on academic merit followed by an interview. Ultimately, I chose the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship as it best aligned with my career goals and personal growth aspirations.

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

I’m studying in the BIOCEB program, which is the European Master’s in Biological and Chemical Engineering for a Sustainable Bioeconomy. BIOCEB offers five specializations, and I chose to focus on bioprocesses. The program’s main objective is to utilize biotechnological approaches to support a sustainable bioeconomy, covering areas like bio-refineries, green chemistry, and sustainable solutions in fundamental sciences. Through BIOCEB, I’m gaining knowledge and skills to work as a researcher, scientist, or manager who can contribute to sustainability in bioeconomy as mentioned in my introduction. My specialization in bioprocesses involves applying green chemistry principles, conducting life cycle assessments, and performing techno-economic analyses to ensure that processes—from lab-scale to industrial applications—are run sustainably.

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 received a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship that covered all my expenses, so I didn’t have any personal financial burden. The scholarship allowed me to enjoy a decent student life across the countries I studied in: France, Estonia, and Belgium. Estonia was the most affordable, while France offered significant student benefits like discounted student accommodation and other social benefits. Belgium has been the most expensive of the three. Of course, expenses depend on one’s lifestyle, but I found the Erasmus scholarship sufficient for living costs, and I’ve been able to save enough to travel around Europe as well.

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?

In my experience, all Erasmus Mundus programs are conducted in English, so there were no academic language barriers. Each university I attended offered optional language classes—French and Estonian, in my case. Although English was enough for daily interactions, I would recommend learning the local language if possible, as it makes everyday life smoother and helps you connect with local people.

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

Definitely! I would recommend the Erasmus Mundus program to anyone passionate about advancing in their field. This program has been a life-changing experience, allowing me to experience life in different countries in a short span. That said, it comes with challenges, such as adjusting to a new country every six months, finding accommodation, and managing administrative tasks, which can be complex, especially for non-European students. Erasmus programs, however, provide a fantastic network within and beyond the scientific community. My advice to prospective applicants is to prepare for these challenges, take care of your mental health, and seek support when needed. The rewards of the experience are well worth it.

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

For anyone aspiring to apply for an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, my advice is to be confident in your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses, and show that you’re actively working on them. I believe self-awareness and honesty are major strengths in the application process. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Also, take care of yourself during the application process—shortlisting universities, taking language tests, attending interviews, writing SOPs, and preparing CVs can be stressful and overwhelming. Make sure to monitor your mental health and remember there’s support available.