"My #StudyInSweden journey has been a truly rewarding and transformative experience for my personal and professional growth. Studying in such a diverse and multicultural environment expanded my view on things, particularly on sustainability, climate action, and resilience-building. The student-led learning process has allowed me to meet and engage with people from different cultures and perspectives which allowed me to develop my adaptability, critical thinking, and leadership skills relevant to addressing today’s global challenges.

"The Master in Aquaculture program of Ghent University was a great opportunity to learn about the different facets of aquaculture - be it a science, an art, a livelihood, an economic and ecological driver, or a social force. Many thanks to the VLIR-UOS ICP Study Connect Scholarship, I was able to meet a wonderful group of young and highly motivated professionals who shared not only their technical experiences but also their talents and their culture. I was also fortunate to be mentored by renowned professors who generously imparted their knowledge to their students.

"My higher education journey, both in the Philippines and Europe has been instrumental in shaping my personal and professional goals. I graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Minor in Spanish, which deepened my appreciation for language and culture. This foundation led me to my pivotal journey in Spain as a language assistant. During my four years in Europe, I had the opportunity to travel, explore my identity, and grow both personally and professionally.

"Receiving the DAAD scholarship was a dream come true. Coming from Mindanao and one of the lowest-income families in the Philippines, I never imagined such an opportunity would be within my reach. But I prayed for it, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by DAAD and Germany. While pursuing my master's degree in Vietnam as an In-Region Scholarship Holder and in Germany, I was fortunate to travel to some of Europe's most beautiful countries, immersing myself in new experiences.

"Looking back on my Erasmus journey, it’s clear how transformative mobility and immersion can be for learning. The MUrCS program’s immersive academic environment provided me with a wealth of knowledge and inspired a deeper passion for the interdisciplinary field of urban planning, especially in relation to climate and sustainability. Professionally, my internship at Hameen ELY-keskus in Lahti, Finland, where I focused on the circular economy, offered me the opportunity to explore the interplay between industries.