A Filipino scholar named Kent Tangacalagan recently goes viral online after graduating summa cum laude in his Masteral degree in Europe. In May 2017, Ken was among the lucky individuals that were chosen for the Erasmus Joint Masters Degree in Comparative Local Development. He was very lucky to study in Europe for free and able to experience going to several universities in Europe in the course of his study.
He studies his first semester at the Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary. He went to Germany and studied at the University of Regensberg in the second semester. He completed his third semester at the University of Trento in Italy.
His journey was never easy. He also faced several trials and setbacks while finishing his studies. The worst was when he lost both of his parents in 2018. But despite the trials he faced in life, he never loses hope, instead, he still thrived to do his best in his studies. With his determination and perseverance, Ken was able to graduate with honors and summa cum laude.
He would forever be grateful to the Erasmus Mundos scholarship because they have given him an opportunity. The scholarship he received covered his annual travel allowance, tuition fees, establishment allowance, and monthly contribution for his basic needs accommodation to help scholars like him for the adjustment period in a foreign country.
During his study breaks, Kent would often visit other European countries. In a Facebook post, Kent gave a heartwarming tribute to his parents. He shared that the best thing he was able to learn was resilience on the wonderful chapter of his two-year journey in Europe as an Erasmus Mundus scholar. He had the worst experience to lose both of his parents while he was away to them as he was studying in Europe but he was able to overcome it.
He further added that his parents are surely proud of him not only because of his honors and Master’s degree but also because he had managed to accomplish them despite the challenges that he had experienced. His two-year journey was never easy and he wouldn’t able to pass it if not for the love and support he receives from his family and friends.
Kent is from Cebu. He graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate in Health Science Education in 2011 at the University of San Jose-Recoletos. He also receives a previous scholarship in the De La Salle University in his first Masteral Degree for Master Health Social Sciences. Kent worked as a nurse at the Perpetual Succour Hospital.
Later on, he worked in the Social Development Research Center at De La Salle University as a Gender Research Associate which helped him gain knowledge and confidence to study in Europe under the Erasmus Mundos program.
What can you say about this? Are you inspired by his success story? Kindly share your comments, reactions, and thoughts with us.