Neurasmus cohort 2024-2026

Neurasmus has been a wonderful opportunity for me to develop as a scientist and as a person! From the first moment, I loved being a member of a community of students with extremely diverse backgrounds, but equally strong ambitions and open-minded views of science and the world. Having the opportunity to learn in diverse educational settings, connect with researchers from all over the world, and live in new cities expanded my horizons and taught me that anything is possible - inside and outside of academia!

One day you're reading the website testimonials—and the next, you're writing one! I’m wrapping up my first year of Neurasmus in sunny, vibrant Coimbra, and I still can’t quite believe how far this journey has taken me. I’ve studied in Portugal, interned in Germany, joined a summer school in France, and will soon move to the Netherlands. Surreal, isn’t it?

The program is intense—you dive deep into theory and spend hours in the lab gaining real-world research experience. You’re pushed to think critically, navigate different work environments, and explore neuroscience from molecules to cognition, clinics to computation. Balancing studies and life abroad is tough, but you receive enormous academic, financial, and mental support.

What makes Neurasmus truly unique is that you discover not only neuroscience but the world. I’ve learned about the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s and what the corpus callosum is—but I’ve also surfed in the Atlantic, spent Christmas with a Portuguese family, studied in the library that inspired Harry Potter, and tasted the world’s best pastries ;)—all while being 6,000 km from home.

If you're ready to grow as both a scientist and a person—Neurasmus is the place to be.

The Neurasmus program has given me the unique opportunity to merge my scientific ambitions with my passion for exploring new cultures and living in different parts of the world. Coming from a background in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, I joined Neurasmus with the goal of deepening my understanding of neuroscience and eventually bridging the two fields in a career focused on neurorehabilitation. My first semester in Amsterdam offered an excellent foundation in both fundamental and clinical neuroscience, taught by leading experts in the field. Currently, in Bordeaux, I’m engaged in an internship that integrates human physiology and neuroscience to explore how sleep is influenced by vestibular changes. Beyond academics, this journey has brought me lifelong friendships and two new places—Amsterdam and Bordeaux—that I now consider home. And the journey continues next year as I head to Laval for more!

Neurasmus is more than just a Master's degree, it is a journey where you step into the unknown and push personal and academic boundaries. For me, it is about tuning into what really sparks my curiosity and being surrounded by people who do the same.

We often think growth is individual, but at Neurasmus I am experiencing it is deeply collective. Like transmitting synapses in the brain, it is by connecting cultures, disciplines and experiences that real learning can occur. Horizontal and vertical bonds between students, mentors and research groups combine to form a Neurasmus network where ideas flow, challenges are shared and hard work feels lighter. 

This collaboration not only inspires us to be better scientists, it is essential for moving neuroscience forward. Just as brains thrive through their communications, we learn to find solutions and grow stronger together, each one of us making the whole more powerful.

As a first-generation graduate student from India, Neurasmus has been one of the most life-changing experiences of my academic journey. As an Erasmus Mundus scholar, I have the opportunity to study in some of Europe’s top universities for neuroscience, but what truly makes it special are the people I meet and the experiences I share along the way. Learning from passionate researchers, collaborating with peers from all over the world, and adapting to new cultures- it pushes me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Academically, the program provides a strong foundation in neuroscience and is strengthening my analytical skills, broadening my perspective, and reinforcing my passion for understanding the brain. My experience in Neurasmus has inspired me to pursue a PhD in neurodegenerative disorders to contribute to research that can drive real impact.

Receiving the Neurasmus scholarship has opened doors to opportunities I likely would not have had access to in my home country. Coming from a multicultural background, I am deeply grateful to be part of a program that not only offers world-class education in neuroscience but also fosters rich, cross-cultural experiences. I am excited to see where this journey with Neurasmus will lead me in the future.