WHY STUDY IN THE EU?
"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. Another thing that made my stay in Belgium unforgettable was the chance to visit various European destinations on one plane, train, or bus ride. After all, we were studying in the heart of Europe.
Certainly, there are a lot of things that I am thankful for from the brief but memory-filled experience and these have motivated me to strive for excellence, to continue to be a blessing to others, and to give back to the communities that I serve."
Ryan John Pascual
Master of Science in Aquaculture
Belgium - Ghent University
"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. Throughout my journey—from the start of my master’s program to its completion, and even now that I’ve returned to my beloved Philippines—I have felt the unwavering support of DAAD and Germany. Now, back home and continue working in government as a licensed agriculturist, I apply and share what I’ve learned with others, especially local farmers and the youth. This work is central to my personal and professional growth. I can now humbly say that the Gerald who once had limited opportunities has evolved into 'Great Gerald,' dedicated to making a meaningful impact in my community."
Gerald Gumera Aguilar
Master of Environmental Science
Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam - DAAD Germany - In-Region Scholarship Program
"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.
Studying in the EU also allowed me to meet and network with leading experts and practitioners working on disaster risk management and climate adaptation. Throughout the programme, we have interacted with individuals from the World Bank – Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction, European Civil Protection Mechanism, International Federation of the Red Cross, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, among others. Interacting with practitioners from these organizations not only expanded my professional network but also gave me direct access and exposure to their insights, strategies, and best practices in strengthening the resilience of communities."
Ferdinand Alamo Tamulto
MSc Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation
Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Sweden
"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. I pursued a master’s in Bilingual and Multicultural Education at Universidad de Alcalá in Madrid, all while fulfilling my responsibilities as a language assistant.
My time abroad gave me invaluable insights into teaching, lifelong learning and most importantly, independent living. These experiences strengthened my resolve to become a teacher and continue a career in the academe. This ultimately led me to return to the Philippines with a renewed passion for education. I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at the Ateneo de Manila University."
Justine Marielle O. Porras
Masters in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
"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. I engaged with diverse public and private perspectives and participated in interdisciplinary discussions, which broadened my understanding of CE and honed my communication skills for presenting research findings. This experience motivated me to base my master’s dissertation on the circular economy within the built environment industry—a major resource consumer and waste generator. My research aimed to promote waste minimization and resource efficiency. Today, as an urban designer, I find the knowledge, skills, and global perspective gained through my Erasmus experience invaluable in addressing complex challenges and advancing my career. This journey has not only shaped my professional path but also instilled in me a lifelong appreciation for international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in tackling global issues."
Diana Reyes
Masters in Urban Climate and Sustainability
Scotland, Finland, Germany, Spain
"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.
Studying in the EU also allowed me to meet and network with leading experts and practitioners working on disaster risk management and climate adaptation. Throughout the programme, we have interacted with individuals from the World Bank – Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction, European Civil Protection Mechanism, International Federation of the Red Cross, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, among others. Interacting with practitioners from these organizations not only expanded my professional network but also gave me direct access and exposure to their insights, strategies, and best practices in strengthening the resilience of communities."
Ferdinand Alamo Tamulto
MSc Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation
Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Sweden
"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. Another thing that made my stay in Belgium unforgettable was the chance to visit various European destinations on one plane, train, or bus ride. After all, we were studying in the heart of Europe.
Certainly, there are a lot of things that I am thankful for from the brief but memory-filled experience and these have motivated me to strive for excellence, to continue to be a blessing to others, and to give back to the communities that I serve."
Ryan John Pascual
Master of Science in Aquaculture
Belgium - Ghent University
"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. I pursued a master’s in Bilingual and Multicultural Education at Universidad de Alcalá in Madrid, all while fulfilling my responsibilities as a language assistant.
My time abroad gave me invaluable insights into teaching, lifelong learning and most importantly, independent living. These experiences strengthened my resolve to become a teacher and continue a career in the academe. This ultimately led me to return to the Philippines with a renewed passion for education. I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at the Ateneo de Manila University."
Justine Marielle O. Porras
Masters in Bilingual and Multicultural Education
Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
"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. Throughout my journey—from the start of my master’s program to its completion, and even now that I’ve returned to my beloved Philippines—I have felt the unwavering support of DAAD and Germany. Now, back home and continue working in government as a licensed agriculturist, I apply and share what I’ve learned with others, especially local farmers and the youth. This work is central to my personal and professional growth. I can now humbly say that the Gerald who once had limited opportunities has evolved into 'Great Gerald,' dedicated to making a meaningful impact in my community."
Gerald Gumera Aguilar
Master of Environmental Science
Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam - DAAD Germany - In-Region Scholarship Program
"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. I engaged with diverse public and private perspectives and participated in interdisciplinary discussions, which broadened my understanding of CE and honed my communication skills for presenting research findings. This experience motivated me to base my master’s dissertation on the circular economy within the built environment industry—a major resource consumer and waste generator. My research aimed to promote waste minimization and resource efficiency. Today, as an urban designer, I find the knowledge, skills, and global perspective gained through my Erasmus experience invaluable in addressing complex challenges and advancing my career. This journey has not only shaped my professional path but also instilled in me a lifelong appreciation for international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in tackling global issues."
Diana Reyes
Masters in Urban Climate and Sustainability
Scotland, Finland, Germany, Spain
