BY JANELLE DE SOUZA Monday, September 6 2010

HOW WOULD you like the opportunity to travel different countries, experience new cultures, develop interpersonal skills and have fun while receiving a first class education? According to 25-year-old Akilah Stewart, this is exactly what she did when, in 2008, she was granted an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

The Erasmus Mundus programme is funded by the European Commission which manages the programme’s budget and sets the priorities, targets and criteria. According to one website, “Erasmus Mundus offers scholarships to students and researchers of exceptional quality to follow an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course or Joint Doctorate at two or more European universities. There are nearly 130 masters and doctoral courses to choose from and it is open to students throughout the world.”

Stewart returned to Trinidad and Tobago in July after 18 months of studying a Joint European Master in Water and Coastal Management at the University of Plymouth, UK; Universidad de Cádiz, Spain and Universidade do Algarve, Portugal.

She recalled that, after completing her undergraduate degree, BSc Biology, Environmental and Natural Resource Management at UWI, it was very difficult to find employment.

“I didn’t know what to do,” she explained. “I was interested in Marine Studies, but the direction I wanted to pursue, a course like that was not available in UWI at the time. Therefore the question was, should I take my academic career further and do what is available and then be unhappy or stay at home, keep looking for a job and just hope for the best?”

Fortunately, that was when she heard about the Erasmus Mundus programmes from a friend who received a scholarship. Stewart applied just a few days before the deadline and a few months later, was surprised and delighted to be accepted.

“It was very much a cultural exchange. I had the opportunity to study and live abroad and make lots of new friends from all over the world,” said Stewart. “It was great fun. I have really matured and the experience has increased my confidence tremendously.”

She added that, in her class of 22, there was one other Trinidadian as well as students from countries such as Fiji, Mexico, Brazil, Zambia, Mozambique, Wales, China, India, and more. She became fluent in Spanish and Portugese and leaned to communicate in several other languages.

She described the Erasmus Mundus programmes as holistic and explained that they all cover diverse topics and enable students to interact with the best institutions and experts in any chosen field. “It’s about experiencing higher education from the unique perspectives of these Universities. However, while it’s fun and exciting, it’s very important to take it seriously and apply yourself.”

Indeed, all her hard work has paid off, with a Masters degree under her belt and a job she is excited about. In September, Stewart will begin working as a Research Assistant on a Climate Change project right here in Trinidad.

Why return to Trinidad where job opportunities in her field are limited? “TT is my home,” she declared. She recalled the times she had school assignments in UWI but there was limited local literature.

“There is a lot being done locally, but there is still much to be done. I really want to contribute to my country, she continued. “If the opportunity presents itself to go abroad at a later stage in my career, I would be grateful but right now, home is where I want to be.”

“The Erasmus Mundus scholarships is a good opportunity to open your mind, learn from other countries and bring it back to TT. We have to increase our pace and raise our standards and get people to see what our country has to offer.”

Since the start of the programme in 2004, 13 Trinidadian students have been selected for Erasmus Mundus scholarships. All are encouraged to apply.

Kathrin Renner, Programme Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago commented: “The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme is a tremendous opportunity for students from Trinidad and Tobago not only to follow an excellent education from some of Europe’s best tertiary-level institutions, but also to broaden their horizons through immersion in the cultures, languages and lifestyles of the people of the European Union . As an Erasmus alumni myself, I can certainly attest to the important ways the programme has enhanced my own life and career...”

For further information on various master courses available, visit: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/results_compendia/selected_projects_action_1_maste r_courses_en.php