How a Nigerian Lawyer Received the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s in Public Policy at Central European University in Vienna

My name is Ujunwa Umeokeke, and I am from Nigeria. I am an Erasmus Mundus scholar (Mundus MAPP) at the Central European University, Vienna.  I grew up in Onitsha, Anambra state, one of the biggest trading hubs in Nigeria and home to the largest market in West Africa. However, my educational pursuits took me across several states in Nigeria, including Enugu State for my high school and Oyo State for my college degree. Studying in different states in Nigeria positioned me to interact with people from different backgrounds and experiences, and also provided access to diverse opportunities, which shaped my career trajectory and positioned me for excellence.

Educational Background

I am a qualified lawyer in Nigeria and graduated with First Class honors from the University of Nigeria, Oyo State, reputed as the first and best University in Nigeria. After my undergraduate studies at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School for my one-year qualifying program and was subsequently called to the Nigerian bar.

My undergraduate degree, to a great extent, shaped my interest in policymaking, and my undergraduate thesis provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the realm of public policy. This interest was further harnessed and nurtured through my role as a policy consultant with a continental advisory firm, where I was able to explore policy impact across several sectors and provide evidence-based policy recommendations. I have a keen interest in evidence-driven and people-centered policy development and implementation, which sets the tone for progress in any society.

This experience was relevant to my program, given that it’s a Master's Program in Public Policy. Additionally, my work as a consultant spans across several countries, which afforded me the opportunity for multi-cultural learning and experience, relevant to the mobility component of my Mundus MAPP experience.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institution?

I have always known that I would like to pursue a graduate program abroad, so in that regard, my preparation probably started right from my undergraduate days in college. However, narrowing it down to the lead-up to my graduate studies, I have highlighted several steps I took.

The first thing was figuring out the region of choice. I wanted to study in Europe, and I wanted to embark on a Master's in Public Policy. However, Europe is quite large, so I whittled down destinations of choice based on living standards and opportunities during and after studies. Once that was done, my focus was on the top institutions within those countries that offered substantial scholarships. The next thing was figuring out how to craft a compelling application and Statement of Purpose (SOP). I reached out to several people on LinkedIn currently studying in the Institutions I had shortlisted and asked them about their application experience and tips for a successful application.

Additionally, I enrolled in a short course organized by GetIn Education Consulting, an education consulting and advisory organization that essentially teaches students from developing countries how to craft compelling applications. I always bet on myself, but I knew I needed to arm myself with adequate information to position myself and strengthen my application. One thing I will always do is figure out where the gap in my knowledge is and plug it.

I also kept an application tracker, which I found very helpful. This was one of the resources GetIn shared. In the tracker, I had a list of the shortlisted Institutions, the application requirements, deadlines, and my status on each application. I started applying very early because I needed to give myself ample time to craft the applications, reach out to my referees for recommendation letters, and share my essays with friends/mentors for their review. After all this preparation, I sat down and actually started writing. I told my story as best as I could, got feedback from my reviewers, strengthened my story, and here I am.

The best advice I got writing my application is to 'own and tell your story’. It sounds oversimplified, but it's the core of any good application. Nobody has lived your life with you, and nobody can share that story as beautifully as you can. Own it and tell it in such a way that the admissions committee has no choice but to give you a place.

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

Before I started my applications, I knew that financial support/scholarship would be a major consideration for my choice of school. So, I already had a list of scholarships that were accessible to people of my background, my choice of program, and their requirements. I also identified the internal opportunities offered by the school.

Then, I applied for several scholarships, including the Emile Bounty Scholarship, the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, the Digital Governance Scholarship at Hertie School, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, and some other school and program-specific scholarships.

All the scholarships were competitive, with almost 5000 applications globally, if I am not mistaken. They required me to write different essays to showcase my skills, expertise, and leadership capabilities. I don’t think we understand how difficult it is to craft a compelling essay that tells your story and showcases your personality —until you have to write it in about 250 words. Additionally, applying to different scholarships meant that I had to write several essays and tweak them to meet the requirements of each scholarship and program. It was mentally taxing, and I was working a full-time job while doing that, but I knew what I wanted and I knew getting it would require some sacrifices, so I buckled down and did the work.

I wrote my essays and told my story of how I got into policy and why the scholarships would be a springboard for my professional goals. I told my story the only way I knew how, making sure that my story highlights my skills and experiences and speaks to the core of what the scholarship represents. In the end, I got rejected for some scholarships and was offered some of the scholarships, including the Erasmus Mundus. Choosing Erasmus for me was an easy choice. The funding and the program would allow me to study in different countries in Europe and also get to travel while learning and exploring the region. Who wouldn't like that?

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

My program is an Erasmus Mundus Master's in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP), which has four tracks or specializations- Global Public Policy, European Public Policy, Political Economy and Development, and Governance and Development. I am part of the Global public policy track, with mobility in Vienna, Austria, Barcelona, Spain, and a study trip in an agreed location. The central focus is on the policy process at the international and global level, including the design and operation of international organizations and global policy regimes.

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?

One thing I appreciate about my countries of mobility is their relatively affordable cost of living. I am currently in Vienna, Austria, and housing prices vary between 350 and 700 Euros, depending on the type of apartment. Groceries are reasonably priced as well. When I move to Barcelona, Spain, in September, I expect a similar cost of living based on conversations with friends in the city.

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 in both institutions is English, so that is no challenge. Of course, engagement with the locals requires some level of knowledge of the local language- German and Spanish, but there is no pressure to learn, and Google Translate is your friend.

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

I will definitely recommend the Erasmus program to anyone interested. Already, I have had several people reach out on LinkedIn about this, and my response is always the same. Go for it! The program is a great opportunity to travel while learning. You are embedded within institutions and cultures that challenge your experiences and force you to question your assumptions. You meet people from multicultural backgrounds, experiences, and world views, and you get to widen your perspectives, learn from them, and also share your knowledge with them.

For someone considering the scholarship, my advice is to start your preparations as early as possible. Give yourself time to figure out how all the dots connect with your experience, how the program would be useful to you, and how you will contribute to the program. Most importantly, tell your story. As simplistic as that sounds, you are the only one who has lived your experiences and can share them in a way that sets you apart. Additionally, reach out to friends or mentors to review your application and provide feedback on how you can improve your application.

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

While I am currently in the program, one thing I am learning is not to get so bogged down by the Academics of it. Granted, it's an academic program, but find the balance between academics, building practical experiences through internships or volunteering, networking, engaging with your classmates, and simply resting.