Abhishek Kumar had spent seven years working with the Indian government and the Central Bank of India when he realized he wanted to launch an international career.

"I always felt like I was behind a glass wall, longing to be more connected with the world," he told DW.

In 2022, Kumar was awarded a scholarship to take part in the EU's Erasmus Mundus Joint master's degree (EMJMD) program. He left home in Mumbai to study at financial journalism at City, University of London, in the UK, which despite not being an EU member, has limited cooperation with the EMJMD.

"The quality of education here is top-notch, and the opportunity to study in two European countries offers a broader perspective," said Kumar. "Receiving a scholarship makes it significantly easier to focus on studying," he added.

Kumar is one of a growing number of Indian students who have received the highly competitive Erasmus Mundus scholarship to study in Europe.

In 2024, 146 Indian students were awarded the scholarship. Since the program began in 2004, over 2000 Indian students have received the scholarship, making India the "the largest beneficiary of the program," according to a press release by the EU's delegation to India marking the 20th anniversary of the scholarship program.

The EU's Erasmus program was established in 1987 to promote academic and cultural exchange between........

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