How a Pakistani Linguistics Graduate Secured the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to Study Clinical Linguistics Across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Finland

Hi, my name is Yalnaz Aamna Alam. I am from Multan, Pakistan, and I did my undergraduate degree from Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore. I am currently in Belgium for my second semester. My first semester was in the Netherlands, my third will be in Finland, and we get to decide where we want to stay for our fourth semester. I am currently enrolled in the European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics (EMCL++). It has been quite a journey so far, and  I have learned a lot about myself through this program. It can be very exciting at times, but that does not mean that I don’t miss my country. I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to represent Pakistan and that I am getting to experience so many beautiful moments through Erasmus Mundus!

Educational Background 

I majored in Linguistics during my bachelor’s degree. And I was always a part of different activities where we had to interact with people from all over the world. I was also selected for a semester exchange in Hong Kong and met amazing people through that as well. My university also had people coming from different countries for their exchange semesters, and that always fascinated me a lot. Moreover, my university had people from all over Pakistan, and I met people from different provinces and got to know their stories. That really motivated me to go abroad and experience it all for myself.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institutions?

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I volunteered for activities that I thought were relevant to what I was studying, chose courses that aligned with my interests, and was always striving to get better at what I did. I started working on my LoM and was always in touch with my professors. This helped me a lot with the scholarship.

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

I only applied for one scholarship, and thankfully, I got in. I had heard so much about Erasmus from my friends and thought of giving it a try, and got lucky! It is a very competitive scholarship, and I think the reason why my application stood out was probably my Letter of Motivation, where I wrote about my journey and how much this program meant to me.

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

I am enrolled in the European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics. We get to study very interesting areas, from language disorders to programming. The program is focused on the areas of Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics.

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

Belgium is more affordable as compared to the Netherlands. I tried to cook food instead of eating out in the Netherlands, did my own laundry instead of using the washing machines, subscribed to a season ticket on OV Chipkaart so that I could travel as much as I wanted to on the weekends (it is 37 euros per month, but you can travel wherever you want to over the weekends). This way I was able to save a lot and travel a lot within the Netherlands. I did the same for Belgium 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?

Thankfully, I did not face extreme language barriers as everyone here speaks English!

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

I would, as it is a great opportunity to travel around Europe, meet amazing people, get to know different cultures, and study in some of the best universities. My advice is to be open to making new friends and traveling as much as possible! Also, network! Helps you connect with so many talented people and create such wonderful memories. And another very important advice, enrol in the program that interests you, do not apply just for the sake of it.

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

I am still currently in the program; however, I do miss my time in the Netherlands and wish I had opened up more there and made friends, as I was very lonely there. But I learned my lesson and connected with lots of people in Belgium. I would have also told myself to believe in myself, as I felt my confidence was very low at the beginning of the program. To step out of my comfort zone and travel solo. Traveling solo has brought such growth in me as a person.