How a Panamanian Food Engineer Earned the Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to Study Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development Across France, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Portuga

My name is Yaneris Velasquez; I am a current Erasmus Mundus scholar of the Master's Program Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development (MESD) cohort 2024-2026. During my program, I am doing my academic mobility between France (summer school), Spain (Semester 1), the Czech Republic (Semester 2), and Portugal (Semester 3).

I am a food engineer with a prestigious academic and research career at the national and international levels. In addition, I am currently the country representative for Panama to the Erasmus Mundus Association.

Educational Background 

Throughout my academic career, I have been a very dedicated student with excellent grades, which has given me the opportunity to be a scholarship student and an honorable mention during all my studies in elementary, high school, middle school, and university in Panama. So, I understand very well what it is all about to strive for these merits.

In 2020, my second year of my undergraduate degree in Food Engineering, I started my career in research through participation in a research project competition. In this project, my team won first place in the Natural and Exact Sciences category with the project entitled: "Detection of adulterants in milk by optical sensor". In the year 2021, we published this research in the Journal of Scientific Initiation of the Technological University of Panama, which was my first scientific article. In 2022, I won a scholarship for a research internship at the University of Spain in Alicante, being this my first experience outside Panama. This allowed me to know the world; to live an amazing multicultural experience, and it was in this experience that I learned that Erasmus Mundus scholarships existed.

Parallel to my preparation for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships upon my return to Panama from my internship abroad, I started working part-time in my faculty as an academic assistant and doing my undergraduate thesis research. I also attended multiple scientific congresses to present my projects, and participated in volunteering to create a social impact on Panamanian society.

I was also selected as a Mentee at the national level in the Young University Women Led by Researchers in Action Program (JULIA), organized by the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Panama (SENACYT) in its 2023 edition. Finally, I made my second joint research publication as co-author in 2024 of other projects in which I participated in 2021/2022.

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

When I found out about the Erasmus Mundus scholarships in 2022, I knew from the first moment that I wanted to have a personal and professional experience as complete as this one and which perfectly matched my profile, so it was my first choice and for which I prepared myself.

The preparation for my application took me about two years before I applied, since I was still an undergraduate student with a graduation date in 2024, so I applied in December 2023 with a certification from my university that supported my status as a student graduating in the next few months. So, as I mentioned in the previous question, I did multiple activities to build my professional career.

In my Erasmus Mundus program (MESD), a total of 444 applications were obtained from people from 57 different countries in the year of my application. In terms of quantity, the competition was high level, being the first time I applied for a scholarship with such talented participants globally. During the month of March 2024, I received the news that I passed the interview phase, which is the last phase of the 4 that my program must select its students. It was a very pleasant interview, and I felt very comfortable with the experience. It was not until April 2024 that I received the news that I had been accepted to the program and that I had been put on the main list to receive the scholarship. In my case, applying to the program gave me direct access to be considered for the scholarship. I did not have to go through two separate processes.

I consider that my profile, considering all my previous experiences, makes me a potential student for the program. In addition, in the interview, I made it very clear what my medium- and long-term goals are, which was a great advantage for me.

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

My Erasmus Mundus is The Master in Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development (MESD) offers an advanced education programme related to membrane science and engineering at the interface between material science and chemical engineering. The master curricula are oriented to favor the job placement of graduates in academia or industry by focusing on key professional skills

The comprehensive curriculum considers the excellence areas of each partner and allows the students to acquire the basics of membrane engineering as well as to specialize in a chosen field. We started the program in August 2024 with the summer school at the University of Montpellier, France. This is my coordinating institution.

After the summer school, I followed in my first semester at the University of Zaragoza, Spain, the track of Membrane Technologies and Project management, MemTECH. In this academic semester, I acquired strong skills in project management, balanced with an understanding of membrane materials and basic engineering knowledge.

Currently, I am studying my second semester at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague in the Czech Republic in the Track Membrane Materials and Process Engineering. My next semester will be at the University of Nova, Lisbon, to specialize in Food, Bio, and Health Track.

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?

In my experience, the cost of living during my studies in Zaragoza, Spain, in the first semester was manageable. With 700 euros per month, it was more than enough to cover all my needs, including leisure activities. I paid 390 euros for my room in a shared apartment. Transportation costs 24 euros per month, and food costs approximately 150 euros per month.

Currently, in Prague, I am living in the dormitories of the University, which has been a great advantage, since Erasmus Mundus students have priority to receive this benefit. The cost of rent is quite cheap compared to other European cities. The cost of accommodation is approximately 220 euros per month. Also, it is important to consider sharing a room with a roommate from my program. As for transportation, it is amazingly cheap. If you are a student under 26 years old, we have a discount on public transportation, paying only 15 euros for three months of unlimited transportation by bus, train, and subway. In food, I spend 120 euros per month. With 500 euros living in these conditions, you can cover all your basic needs.

Soon, I will be doing my next mobility to Portugal, and I estimate that the cost will be very similar to Spain.

All expenses during my mobility are being fully covered by my EU-funded master's program with a stipend of 1400 euros per month.

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?

Yes, of course, in Panama our official language is Spanish, so even having a solid knowledge of English, studying 100% in English was a big challenge initially; however, living daily, studying, and communicating in English has allowed me to improve and feel more confident. My language evolution has been very important for me.

Currently, I am learning to speak Czech, however, it is a very complex language. My desire to learn is to get to know the culture, since it is very important for me to have multicultural experiences.

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

For me, the Erasmus Mundus scholarship is one of the best scholarships in the world. Studying in three or more countries, receiving different degrees at the end of the program, and really living a cultural immersion are some of the advantages of this prestigious program. This has been my dream come true. If you are someone brave who likes personal and professional challenges, this scholarship is for you.

To all those who are considering applying for the Erasmus Mundus scholarships, I recommend that you take the time to prepare, as the competition is very strong and these are global calls for applications. Also, take language courses, participate in extracurricular activities and research, have hobbies, and if possible, develop your professional careers beforehand through professional experience or short internships abroad to have a better chance of being selected.

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

I am currently in the program, so I am trying to have many beautiful experiences in each country of the program to have a real professional and personal growth.