Once upon a time, in the vibrant city of Lima, Peru, a passionate student named Ana embarked on an extraordinary academic adventure thanks to the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program.
This journey would take her across Europe, immersing her in the most impressive academic and cultural environments that reaffirmed the unparalleled excellence of European universities. Join us as she shares her Erasmus Mundus journey.
Upon my arrival in 2020, armed with C1 Mild CEFR Certificates in both English and French, I soon discovered that true mastery of these languages would come from their daily use in academic courses and everyday life. It was through this immersive experience that I gained a profound confidence in my communication skills. The master's courses in Transnational Migrations, which I pursued at various prestigious institutions, opened my eyes to the potential of academia to build inclusive societies grounded in sustainable development, cultural diversity, respect for human rights, and peaceful coexistence.
After a successful thesis defence in Brussels, I was honoured to receive multiple diplomas: an MA in Sociology and Migrations from Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, an MA in Sociology with a specialization in Intercultural Mediation from the University of Wroclaw in Poland, an MA in Languages and Cultures from University College Cork in Ireland, and an MA in Human and Social Sciences with a focus on MITRA Transnational Migrations from Université de Lille in France. My master's thesis, "Communication challenges and strategies of Spanish speaking migrants in Brussels", guided by Dr. Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot, allowed me to hone my skills in sociological field research, conducting semi-structured interviews, and performing qualitative analysis.
One of the most enriching aspects of my Erasmus Mundus experience was the vibrant international student community. Engaging with fellow scholars from diverse backgrounds fostered a deep sense of global citizenship and collaboration. Despite our varied origins, we all shared a commitment to research, training, cooperation, and creativity in the realm of Transnational Migrations. This camaraderie has inspired me to pursue a PhD in transnational migration, ideally at one of the MITRA consortium universities.
One of the most enriching aspects of my Erasmus Mundus experience was the vibrant international student community.
Living in different European countries also exposed me to cultural and social practices that resonated deeply with me. The meticulous recycling practices, which prevent the proliferation of non-degradable waste and support second-hand markets, impressed me greatly. I was also inspired by policies aimed at reducing food waste, such as discounting food close to its expiration date. Moreover, the respect for the rights of people with restricted mobility and the elderly, evident in accessible transportation and facilities, was truly admirable. The wide access to education and work, facilitated by the freedom of movement within the Schengen Area, was another practice I hoped to see adopted in my home country.
Reflecting on my Erasmus Mundus journey, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Studying abroad through this scholarship program was the most exciting academic and cultural experience I have ever had. The exceptional academic and cultural environments, with their passionate scholars and rich resources, demonstrated why European universities are among the best in the world.
Reflecting on my Erasmus Mundus journey, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
I owe this transformative experience to the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, and for that, I am forever thankful. I am also grateful for the support I always received from my dear partner, LLM Alejandro Gamero Salas.