When my friend told me about the Erasmus Mundus Master in Impact Entrepreneurship
(EMMIE) in October 2024, it felt like finding the answer to a question I didn’t know I was
asking. After years of setbacks in jobs, exams, and other pursuits, I was searching for
something meaningful—something that aligned with my passion for business and my desire to
create real impact. The EMMIE program seemed perfect. But my journey there wasn’t
straightforward, and I want to share it with you because if you’re reading this after facing an
Erasmus Mundus rejection, I have good news: it’s not the end.
The Application: Racing Against Time
With the December 2024 deadline looming, I had just weeks to prepare. One of my friends is
from another Erasmus course, and she guided me through every formality, every document,
and every requirement. I was determined. I completed my entire application on the very last
day—and I mean the very last day—but it was submitted correctly. That’s what mattered.
Then came the hardest part: waiting.
The First Disappointment: Facing an Erasmus Mundus rejection
Two months of anxiety followed. When the results arrived, I was placed on the waiting list—but
not in the confirmed cohort. A few days later, the Erasmus Mundus rejection email came. I
won’t lie: it was disheartening. But I made a decision right then. I would not give up.
Instead of stopping, I pivoted. I applied for the Erasmus Mundus self-funded category and
immediately began searching for external scholarships for Erasmus Mundus from the
Government of India. That’s when I discovered the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) India,
which offers different categories for applicants. Since I have a disability, I applied through the
“Persons with Disabilities” category.
Finding Your External Scholarship: The National Overseas Scholarship
(NOS) India Route
Here’s something important: no one tells you how to navigate this study abroad
scholarships India offers. I had to physically travel to Delhi and gather information step by
step, document by document. It was tedious, but it taught me something crucial: if a
scholarship exists and you’re eligible, it’s worth the effort.
For candidates from India who don’t receive full Erasmus Mundus scholarship funding, the
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) India is genuinely worth exploring. There is another
options too—country-specific government schemes, merit-based grants, and
disability-focused funding. The key is starting early and being persistent.
The Moment Everything Aligned
After completing the NOS application with extensive documentation, I received an invitation to
an interview for the Impact Entrepreneurship master’s. After preparing thoroughly, I succeeded in the interview. I
was finally selected for the program.
But the journey wasn’t over. The NOS interview came next. With the
same determination, I organized every document and prepared, and the day I got that acceptance email—knowing that only 5-8 students
from the entire country of India were selected—was surreal. I had done it. I was accepted to
both the EMMIE program and NOS.
The Final Challenge: Making It All Work
Here’s where things got complicated. The program was starting in September, but the NOS
disbursement processes are slow. Aligning a master’s program start date with scholarship
fund releases, visa timelines, and accommodation arrangements is no small feat. I was
stressed. I didn’t want to waste another year waiting for bureaucracy to catch up.
That’s when I did something unconventional: I reached out to my local Member of Parliament,
Mr. Praful Patel. Through family connections, I explained my situation honestly, outlining the urgency and the challenges I faced, and that we
needed to accelerate the process. With support from Mr. Patel and the NOS Department,
things began moving faster. It wasn’t magic, but it was persistence combined with asking the
right people for help.
What I Learned from Erasmus Mundus Rejection (And What You Should Know)
If you’re a highly motivated candidate who didn’t get the full Erasmus Mundus scholarship,
here’s what I want you to understand:
- Rejection isn’t the final answer. Many universities and programs have Erasmus Mundus
self-funded pathways. EMMIE does. Explore them. - External scholarships for Erasmus Mundus exist—you just have to find them. If you’re
from India, investigate National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) India. If you’re from another
country, research your government’s study abroad scholarships. They’re out there. - Documentation and persistence matter more than you think. Yes, it’s tedious. Yes, it
takes time. But it opens doors. - Ask for help. Whether it’s from friends, family, your university, or even your elected
representatives, people want to help ambitious students. Don’t be too proud to ask. - Small support matters tremendously. During my journey, I received invaluable support
from Ivija Bernatović, Dubravka Kovačević, and Mateja Kovačić from ZSEM, and from
Laure Magnier at EMMIE. These small gestures of support kept me going. Once you’re
part of the program, you’ll find this community everywhere.
A Final Word
If you’re reading this and you didn’t get the full scholarship or faced an Erasmus Mundus Rejection, I want you to know that your story
doesn’t end there. Mine didn’t. It’s definitely harder. Yes, it requires more steps, more
documentation, more conversations. But if an Impact Entrepreneurship master’s is truly your
passion, if you genuinely believe in the mission of impact entrepreneurship, then those extra
steps are worth it.
Start researching external funding options now. Reach out to the EMMIE program to ask about
Erasmus Mundus self-funded spots. Connect with alumni who’ve navigated this path. And
most importantly—don’t give up.
I’m here. I made it. And if you’re determined enough, so can you.
Written by Kaustubh Chute, EMMIE Scholar from Cohort 4
