The EU’s Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program: Equipping Young Belizeans for Nation-Building

Through study abroad programs, like the European Union-funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, young Belizeans are being equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to take up space as emerging leaders in their country.

For Erasmus Mundus Alumni Janel McNab, that means helping the government to pave the way forward in the world of marine conservation.

McNab is the Marine Spatial Planning Coordinator at Belize's Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI). Through her position, she has helped to spearhead the development of a sustainable ocean plan under Belize's historic blue bond agreement. That agreement, which has made international headlines, will see Belize's debt reduced in exchange for its marine conservation efforts.

Talking about her study abroad experience thanks to the EU-funded scholarship opportunity, she shared "I ventured through this thinking that I could do something for my country."

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters' Degrees are programmes jointly designed and delivered by a group of higher education institutions. Scholars are granted the opportunity to spend up to two years studying - and traveling - throughout Europe. Each programme involves at least three institutions from at least three different countries and multiple associated partners from the academic and non-academic world.

For McNab, her two years of study culminated in her being awarded her international Master's Degree in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society (ACES). She spent those two years studying in Scotland, Greece, and France and graduated in the year 2020.

For Belmopan native, Chelsea Mai, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship program allowed her the chance to build on her interest in international security and diplomacy. After gaining experience and exposure studying and living in Italy and the Czech Republic, today, she is employed at Belize's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There, she works as a Foreign Service Officer involved in examining EU and NATO-related security issues and is an alternate desk officer following Belize's relations with the European Union.

Through her Master's program, Mai was able to learn from experts with years of experience in international security, setting the foundation for the role that she would go on to fill at her current job.

"The courses were well-rounded. I got exposure to experts in the field, which really helped to craft my way of thinking," she said.

More than just providing her with the needed skillset to contribute to the development of her country, though, Mai believes that the scholarship opens up opportunities to build connections and networks that can last a lifetime.

"I've had classmates from 80 countries. So just having that exposure of meeting different cultures has really helped me personally to navigate different settings that I'm placed in," Mai said.

When it comes to nation-building, Belize's youth are showing more and more that they, too, have a place at the table. In 2012, at the launch of Belize's National Youth Policy, the then Minister of State for Education, Youth, and Sports Hon. Herman Longsworth noted "We are a young nation. The future of Belize rests on the shoulders of the youth."

Every year, the EU supports fully funded scholarships for Masters studies in any of the 27 European Union member countries through Erasmus Mundus. There is no age limit to apply. The core requirement is to have completed a Bachelor's degree, and there are almost 200 Masters' programmes available in all fields of studies, ranging from economics to life sciences, from IT to conservation studies, and much more.

Applications can be submitted between October and January for courses starting the following academic year.

The scholarships are fully funded. They cover tuition fees in full, travel, visa, installation, and subsistence costs. A monthly allowance is paid to the students, and additional financial support is also available to differently able students and varies depending on the level of disability/support needed.

The European Union's Erasmus Mundus programme continues to empower Belizean youth with opportunities for education, international exposure, and growth. Through the enriching and life-changing study abroad opportunity, Belizeans are coming back home and contributing to shaping the future of the nation. Both Janel and Chelsea remain champions of the Erasmus Mundus study abroad programme and aid the European Union in Belize in promoting it at events throughout the country.

For more information on how you can apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship Opportunity visit https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en

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