Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Shihabur from Bangladesh, Graduates from the EDISS Master’s Program and Pursues a PhD at Åbo Akademi University in Finland

Hello, my name is Shihabur. I recently graduated from the Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme Engineering of Data-intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS). I am originally from Bangladesh, and through this programme I had the opportunity to study in both Finland and Spain. At the moment, I am working as a Doctoral Researcher at Åbo Akademi University in Finland, where I am pursuing my Ph.D.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship (2023 - 2025)

Institution: Åbo Akademi University (Finland), University of the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Amount: 49,000 € (which covered tuition fees, living expenses, and relocation)

Educational Background

Before joining the Erasmus Mundus programme, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering at North South University in Bangladesh, graduating with a CGPA of 3.92/4.00 and the distinction Summa Cum Laude. During my studies, I was fortunate to publish a conference paper at MICAD 2022, which I believe strengthened my application. I also gained professional experience working as a Software Engineer at a Dutch software company, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with European clients. In addition, I obtained an IELTS score of 8.5, which further supported my application and preparation for an international academic environment.

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

Even before choosing specific programmes, I decided to take the IELTS exam since it was a prerequisite for most international opportunities. After that, I carefully went through the Erasmus Mundus catalogue and shortlisted the programmes that aligned with my interests. My main goal was to secure an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, and if that did not work out, I planned to apply for Ph.D. positions in the US. Fortunately, I was selected for Erasmus Mundus, which truly felt like a dream come true.

The process was quite competitive, especially because Bangladesh has many strong applicants, and there are only limited spots available per country. For my programme, I was accepted as one of 25 students out of 356 applicants, and the competition has only become tougher in recent years.

I believe what made my application stand out was primarily my academic performance, as EDISS places significant emphasis on strong academic records. My high CGPA, combined with some research exposure and professional experience, likely strengthened my profile and contributed to my selection.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

Currently, I am working as a fully funded Doctoral Researcher at Åbo Akademi University in Finland. My position is supported through the research project MADNESS, which provides a salary and funding until the end of 2028.

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

The programme I pursued was Engineering of Data-intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS), which combines both Data Science and Software Engineering. In the first year, the focus is on core concepts such as Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. In the second year, students can choose a more specialized track; in my case, I focused on Computer Vision. I found this structure very effective, as the first year builds a strong foundation with intermediate concepts, while the second year allows you to deepen your expertise in advanced, more specialized topics.

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?

Overall, my monthly expenses in Finland and Spain were quite similar, although the cost distribution varied between the two countries. Finland, being part of the Nordics, naturally had a higher cost of living, especially when it came to groceries. However, generous student benefits made rent and transportation very affordable. In Spain, it was the opposite; groceries were much cheaper, but due to the lack of proper student housing, I ended up paying significantly more for rent, and the housing quality was comparatively lower than in Finland. One additional advantage of living in Spain was the affordability and accessibility of traveling to other EU countries. Taken together, the overall costs balanced out, and the monthly Erasmus Mundus scholarship amount was sufficient to manage my living expenses in both countries.

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 Finland, I faced little to no language barriers, as almost everyone speaks English, and they are very comfortable switching to it when speaking with foreigners. This made my first year smooth in terms of communication. In Spain, however, the situation was quite different. It was often difficult to find English-speaking people, even in popular tourist areas. In Mallorca, where the University of the Balearic Islands is located, most locals primarily speak Catalan or Spanish. While some people did speak English, the strong accents sometimes made conversations harder to follow. To adapt, I found it very useful to rely on Google Translate and to learn a few basic Spanish phrases, which helped me manage daily life more comfortably.

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

I would strongly recommend the Erasmus Mundus programme to anyone interested in pursuing a Master’s degree. Beyond academics, it provides the chance to collaborate with students and professionals from diverse cultural and national backgrounds while also offering the flexibility to travel within the EU. The scholarship is generous enough to cover most living expenses, so there is no pressure to seek additional funding through part-time work. Moreover, the programme creates opportunities to engage with leading industry partners, for example, during my first year, I was fortunate to work on a research project with Volvo.

For those considering applying, my advice would be to definitely go ahead with the application. The process is free of charge and comparatively straightforward, and the potential benefits, both academically and personally, make it well worth the effort.

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

Looking back, I would definitely spend more time networking with like-minded individuals. Building these connections is valuable not only for academic growth but also for opportunities in the industry.