Hi, I’m Shoaib Irfan and this is the story of my Scholarship Journey.
Summary:
- University: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
- Degree: Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering
- Test Scores: IELTS (6.5) CGPA (3.59/4.00)
- Scholarship: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in WAVES (Waves, Acoustics, Vibrations, Engineering, and Sound)
Social Media:
The Journey
Hi, I’m Shoaib Irfan. I graduated as a civil engineer from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan’s top-ranked university. I was born in a small village in South Punjab and completed my early education at my village’s high school. Growing up, I dreamt of studying at some of the world’s top-ranked universities, but coming from a middle-class family, my parents often reminded me that we couldn’t afford such education. Despite this, I firmly believed that hard work and faith in God could take me where I deserved to be.
After achieving distinctions in my intermediate studies, I earned a scholarship to study at NUST, where I pursued civil engineering from 2020 to 2024, achieving significant milestones along the way. In my final year, despite hearing many discouraging comments about how competitive the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship was, I applied with full faith and hope in God. I submitted applications to three Erasmus programs, and to my joy, I was selected for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in WAVES (Waves, Acoustics, Vibrations, Engineering, and Sound).
My academic journey will begin at the prestigious Universidade de Coimbra in Portugal 🇵🇹 for the first semester, followed by Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain 🇪🇸 for the second semester. The third semester will take place at Aix-Marseille University and Centrale Marseille Aéro in France 🇫🇷. For my master’s dissertation, I’ll have the opportunity to choose from leading institutions around the world, including Boston University (USA), Imperial College London, EPFL (Switzerland), and Technical University of Munich (Germany). The program also includes collaborations with renowned industrial partners like Airbus, CDM Stravitec, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Rafibra, Stellantis, and others, offering an excellent chance to gain practical experience in acoustics and vibrations.
I chose this field because, as populations grow, so does noise pollution, and I want to contribute to creating a healthier, noise-free environment. As an acoustician, I aim to make the world a peaceful and sustainable place to live.
Scholarship Details
The scholarship I received is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, fully funded by the European Union for master’s students. Erasmus scholars are selected from various regions across the world, and the program involves studying at different top universities across Europe. The scholarship seeks to promote international education exchange and enhance cultural diversity.
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship covers round-trip airfare, free tuition, health and travel insurance, language training fees, and a monthly living allowance of €1400.
Educational Background
I completed my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a CGPA of 3.59/4.00 from NUST, focusing primarily on sustainability and structural health monitoring. During my studies, I developed a solid understanding of vibrations and acoustics, along with the technical skills needed to address real-world challenges. My academic experience at NUST prepared me to pursue one of the world’s most prestigious scholarships, equipping me with leadership, communication, and analytical skills that will serve me well in the Erasmus community.
How Did You Prepare to Apply for Scholarships and Institutions?
I first learned about the Erasmus Mundus program from a senior who had received the scholarship, and his achievement motivated me to apply. Despite knowing the competition would be fierce, I decided to go for it. And BOOM! I got accepted!
The application process was fast-paced and required me to gather various documents quickly. I started in July 2023 by preparing for my IELTS, where I scored an overall band of 6.5. After that, I focused on assembling my CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letters. My advice to future applicants? Start preparing early so you won’t have to rush later!
The Erasmus application process was straightforward. I applied through the WAVES program portal and uploaded all my documents. I was thrilled to receive a notification that I’d been selected after successfully passing the interview
What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?
If I could do it all again, I would focus on applying for programs highly relevant to my background and goals. After rejections, I learned to improve my profile and keep applying with determination.
What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?
The key to winning Erasmus is relevancy, make sure the program you apply for aligns with your academic background and interests. Don’t be disheartened by rejections; improve your profile and keep trying. Most importantly, trust in God and let your hard work pay off.
Also, check the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship | Application Process
