Why You Should Apply for the Copernicus Digital Earth Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme

Hi everyone!

I would like to write a short post about why I think it’s worth applying to the Copernicus Digital Earth (CDE) Master’s program. Since I started the program last year, I’ve had a few people reach out to me on LinkedIn asking about my experiences – so I thought I’d gather some of my thoughts and tips here. (I wrote a few sentences about this in last year’s newsletter, and a follow-up post will be coming soon).

When someone sends me a message, I usually ask if they have any specific questions, because to be honest, it’s quite difficult to summarize everything that happened in the past year. Moving abroad, starting a new chapter, back at university – a lot has changed since I moved from Budapest.

I can’t really tell you what it’s like to move from outside Europe, as I only had to move within the EU (which definitely made things easier!). But if you are coming from another continent, I definitely recommend checking out the guides on the CDE website or asking someone who has been through the process themselves - one of my classmates would be happy to guide you! 😊

I first heard about the CDE Master's program, in 2023 at the Big Data from Space conference in Vienna. At that time, I had already been working in the GIS field since October 2020, first as a GIS analyst, later as a GIS engineer. Despite having a stable job, I started to feel stuck - everything was getting a bit too monotonous and there was a lack of creativity and professional development. Before that, I had graduated from the University of Szeged with a degree in Geography (specialization in Geoinformatics), and at that time I only had a bachelor's degree. I knew that I wanted to develop both professionally and personally, and that meant I had to go back to university. My main motivation was to find a place where I could use my creative side and contribute to meaningful projects that have a positive impact on the Earth and somehow help humanity with the challenges of climate change – something many of us in the Earth sciences dream of, right? 🌍

Before applying, I tried to expand my skills as much as possible: I attended GIS and sustainability conferences, took online courses and MOOCs, learned some basic coding at DataCamp, and even volunteered at a Hungarian startup where we worked on a "green" mobile app project. But I had to realize that to really reach the next level - to find a job that truly matches my ambitions - I needed a master's degree.

And that's where the Copernicus Digital Earth program came in.

• What background do you need •

https://master-cde.eu/student-life/students-alumni/

The question arose as to what background knowledge and experience new people can bring to the training. In this regard, I think it is worth checking out the portfolios of previous students on the website, where the countries and universities, as well as the training courses that the previous students have completed, are listed. You will find detailed descriptions of these in the portfolios.

• What all is needed (IELTS, 2 LORs, SOP, and anything else?) for the admission •

https://master-cde.eu/admission/eligibility-criteria/

The question also arose as to what documents and requirements applicants must meet. Since I don't know if the application system has changed since December 2023, I also recommend that you check the website to see what documents and language tests you may need to apply. Everything is written on the website, and this page is the one that definitely contains the RIGHT information - I don't want to mislead anyone by accident 😊

• Returning to university after working full-time •

From 9-5 to being a university student again

One of my biggest questions before starting the program was how it would feel to return to university after four years of working full-time. To be honest, it was pretty daunting. I even reached out to a former student to ask what their weekly schedule was like and how they were managing everything.

Looking back, I would say that my first year in Salzburg was quite manageable in terms of workload. The two semesters were balanced – there were enough classes to keep us busy, but we still had time to explore the beautiful city and enjoy student life. Some of my classmates even managed to take short trips to Europe. For me, the first months were mostly about adjusting – to a new country, a new city and a new rhythm of life. I would sometimes study or read on the train when I traveled back to Hungary, but the real “pressure” usually came towards the end of the semesters, with project submissions and exam time.

This September we started our second year in Olomouc, Czech Republic, and things feel completely different here. The semester is much more practical: we have weekly assignments, lots of creative projects, and a strong focus on cartography and design – which is honestly a dream come true for me! I’m really enjoying it (and I’m not just saying that).

Olomouc has completely awakened my creative energy and inspiration. The only challenge is the schedule – each week requires careful planning to balance classes, assignments, and personal life, including sports and having fun. But it’s worth it.

• Is the scholarship enough to sustain in Europe? How are the rules for part time work, and do students do it? •

In my experience, it's enough if you don't have to pay a lot for accommodation, so I recommend you try to do some research and find a sustainable solution that's around 300-400 euros. Salzburg might seem a bit expensive, but with the scholarship it's completely manageable. The same can be applied to Olomouc as well.

Personally, I don't think you will have time to work during university - I didn't do it in parallel. But it depends, because I know some of my classmates were also on internships during the semesters. But honestly, Austria is beautiful, I personally tried to enjoy my free time being in nature, hiking and working on personal projects - but of course this is everyone's own preference.

• How has been your experience so far, in the city of Salzburg, and around Europe in case you got a moment to explore/ travel/ networking/ conferences? •

It's honestly hard to sum it up in a nutshell. We're currently in Olomouc, Czech Republic, which is culturally a bit closer to my home country, Hungary. The food and atmosphere are much more "homey". Yet I really miss the nature and atmosphere of Austria - especially the mountains and crystal clear lakes. Sometimes it felt like I was living in a video game! If you've ever played The Sims games, you know what I mean - everything seemed so clean, calm and perfectly planned.

The people in Salzburg were incredibly friendly and active; everyone seemed to be hiking, biking or horse riding and running all the time. And I hope that in the long run I can keep up the habit of being at least that active - because to be completely honest - this 1 year in Austria has completely changed my life in that respect. I started doing more sports like running, rollerskating again, doing yoga and going on long hikes in nature.

In recent years I have really enjoyed going to conferences and last year was no exception. Some of them were in Vienna (ESA - LPS25), but we also participated in AGIT organized by the by Z_GIS every summer. These events are great for networking and meeting GIS professionals.

The Erasmus Mundus program also supports summer schools and blended intensive programs (BIP), which means you will have lots of opportunities to travel, connect with experts and learn from professors from different universities. This is one of the best parts of being part of the program – the opportunities really go far beyond the classroom.

• What are some of the future prospects between getting a job or remain in academia (PhD) •

I have extremely talented classmates in both paths and we are all good at something - which allowed everyone to focus on their strengths during project work, and I am sure that many of my classmates will find good opportunities in the industry after graduation.

One of the best features of the Copernicus Digital Earth program is the flexibility it offers - you can shape your path according to your interests. Whether you want to do research and get a PhD, or start working immediately after graduation, the participating universities have a strong reputation across Europe.

As for me, I would like to continue in the field of cartography and design rather than software development. I have felt for some time now that success in this field really depends on how ambitious and open you are to new opportunities. (Although this can be said for all professions.) You have to be brave to take the first step, the degree will only be a "key to the door of opportunities".

Of course, there's no 100% guarantee that you'll land your dream job immediately, but this degree could help in that in the long run — that's what I'm hoping for myself too.😊

• Tips for the application •

Be authentic. Don’t use generative AI to write your answers – write honest, original thoughts. Explain honestly why you want to participate in the program and show that you are truly committed.

Show your uniqueness. Mention anything that reflects your commitment – volunteer work, summer schools, online courses or any extra projects. Think of it like writing a cover letter for a new job: be clear about your goals and how this program will help you achieve them.

Prepare a well-put-together and up to date CV.

Prepare for the interview. I was quite nervous during the interview, but the professor was very kind and helped me with questions. It still helps to practice beforehand: think about what you want to say and how you want to introduce yourself.

Good luck to everyone!

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