He Got the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship — and It Changed His Life

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Source: ZikokoMag

Everyone knows someone who has japa’d — left Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad. But behind every visa stamp lies a story — the research, the rejections, the savings, the courage to try again. In this episode of 1000 Ways to Japa, we meet Ridwan, a Nigerian whose life changed after he won the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship — a fully funded master’s program that took him across four countries in Europe.

From Nigeria to the World
Ridwan now lives in Dresden, Germany, but his journey began in October 2023, when he boarded a plane out of Nigeria for the first time. After two years of trying, he finally received his Erasmus Mundus offer in May 2023 — a moment he describes as “one of the happiest days” of his life.

His program started at the Technical University of Munich, but that was just the beginning. Erasmus programs are usually hosted by a consortium of universities — at least three. Ridwan’s cohort moved from Munich to Vienna, then to Dresden, and finally to the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

“For the final semester, we were free to choose where to write our thesis — at a university or even at a company like Tesla,” Ridwan explains. “I stayed in Germany because living costs were lower, and my residence permit was still valid.”

The Visa and Housing Struggle
Winning the scholarship didn’t mean smooth sailing. Once accepted, Erasmus scholars are immediately advised to start searching for housing — especially in Munich, where accommodation is notoriously scarce.

“I had to take a loan to cover my visa and initial housing costs,” he says. “Luckily, because I was an Erasmus scholar, the German embassy waived the visa interview fee and even refunded my application fee.”

Still, the timing wasn’t great. The exchange rate skyrocketed after Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal, making preparation expensive. “It wasn’t easy, but I pushed through,” Ridwan recalls.

Why Germany Became Home
Ridwan chose to remain in Germany after graduation because his host university was based there — and for good reason.

“If you study in Germany for at least two years, you qualify for an 18-month graduate visa. It allows you to stay back and look for a job,” he explains.

Understanding Erasmus Mundus
So, what exactly is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship? Ridwan describes it as a fully funded master’s scholarship sponsored by the European Union, offering programs across multiple European universities.

Unlike traditional programs, Erasmus degrees often have unique names tied to real-world challenges or EU initiatives. Ridwan’s course, for instance, was called the Copernicus Digital Earth program — a master’s in geospatial technology linked to the EU’s Copernicus satellite project.

“There’s even one called EMOTION for chemistry students,” he laughs. “You won’t always see simple names like ‘Master’s in Finance.’”

How to Find the Right Erasmus Program
The Erasmus Mundus Catalogue is the official starting point. It lists all available programs — around 214 in total, though not all are funded every year.

Ridwan suggests two approaches:

Search Google using the format: “Master’s in [Your Field] Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.”

Or go directly to the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue and browse through all programs — because some have unusual names you might miss.

Once you find a program, read its curriculum carefully. Ridwan’s final program was actually his backup choice — but after reviewing its course structure, he realised it was 80% similar to his first choice.

How to Stand Out as a Nigerian Applicant
“Start early — months before the deadline,” Ridwan advises. “Create a spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and contacts.”

He recommends reaching out to program coordinators or even former Erasmus scholars on LinkedIn for mentorship.

And most importantly — be authentic.

“Don’t copy AI-generated motivation letters. Last year, almost half of applications were disqualified for that reason,” he warns. “Use AI to structure, not to write your story.”
The motivation letter often carries the most weight — up to 50% of your total score. It should connect your past experiences to your future goals and be tailored to each program.

Building an Academic CV That Works
For Erasmus, use the Europass CV format — most programs require it.
Ridwan notes that academic CVs differ from professional ones:

Lead with education, not work experience.
Only include relevant work.
Add volunteering, leadership, and technical skills related to your program.
Keep it under two pages.
“I was a backend engineer before I applied for cartography, but it wasn’t relevant — so I left it out,” he says.
What GPA Do You Need?
There’s no strict GPA cutoff, but strong grades help.
“I know people with 3.8 GPAs who got in,” he says. “But it’s not just about grades — it’s about your story. I didn’t even have research publications when I applied.”

Applicants should emphasise achievements — like ranking in the top 1% or 10% of their class — and polish their materials multiple times before submission.

Life as a Scholar Across Four Countries
Studying across multiple countries sounds exciting — and it is.
“Each city was different,” Ridwan recalls. “Munich was expensive but high-tech, Vienna was beautiful, Dresden felt like home, and Twente was small and quiet.”

The downside? Constantly moving.
“You have to find new accommodation every six months, adapt to new systems, and make new friends — only to move again. But it’s worth it.”

By the end of his program, Ridwan had made friends from over 20 countries and travelled to 20 European destinations. “One of my classmates visited 40 countries,” he laughs.

A Life Transformed
Winning the Erasmus Mundus scholarship didn’t just change Ridwan’s location — it reshaped his worldview.

“It was my first time ever leaving Nigeria,” he says. “This experience taught me adaptability, cultural awareness, and resilience. God bless Nigeria, but Erasmus opened doors I never imagined possible.”

Today, he rates his happiness in Germany a solid seven out of ten — not because life abroad is perfect, but because he believes every opportunity abroad should lead to impact back home.

“The goal isn’t just to escape,” Ridwan says. “It’s to learn, grow, and help more Nigerians reach the top.”

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