Building a genuinely international student community takes time. For the Euroculture Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme, that work began in the late 1990s. Since gaining official recognition in 2006, the course has focused on a clear objective: equipping postgraduates to critically engage with the social and political shifts redefining Europe and beyond.
Robert Wagenaar directed the consortium from 2005 until mid-2025. Under his direction, Euroculture built comprehensive support services that follow students across borders and institutions.
Euroculture: an unconventional European Studies programme
Euroculture was built on a simple premise: European Studies needed to go further than its traditional legal and political focus. From the outset, the programme took a multidisciplinary approach, weaving together society, politics, culture, and religion to examine Europe in a global context.
With eight European partner universities and four non-European collaborators across Mexico, India, Japan, and the United States, Euroculture is one of the largest and most international Erasmus Mundus consortia. As Wagenaar notes: "In a class of 20 students, you might have 15 different nationalities."
Supporting that many nationalities across twelve institutions requires careful coordination.
Putting Students First: A Comprehensive Support System
In such a diverse setting, coordinated student support across all partners is essential. Academic content matters, but so does the environment students experience throughout their studies.
Students are generally contacted by the consortium between March and May, marking the official start of this relationship. From that point, the consortium starts building community.
"We don't wait for the academic year to start. From the moment students commit, we start building the community," says Wagenaar. That means preparatory academic materials, housing assistance, and coordinated communication from both the home university and the consortium.
An aligned welcoming programme ensures that all eight starting universities offer a similar onboarding experience. Students receive information on academic expectations, cultural integration, and where to seek help if needed. A centralised consortium secretariat and designated student advisors handle overarching concerns, including those related to scholarships and fees.
This support extends to everyone equally. Self-paying students make up about 75% of the cohort, but Euroculture doesn't tier its services – all students receive identical support regardless of funding source.
Challenges on the Road
Coordination across borders brings challenges. One of the most persistent issues is visa regulations, particularly for non-European students navigating shifting national policies, limited embassy access, and bureaucratic delays. Then came COVID-19.
"It wasn't just the students in crisis; our staff were in crisis, too," Wagenaar recalls. Isolation, anxiety, and a lack of belonging emerged as serious concerns. The programme responded by investing more heavily in personalised support, with course managers and advisors monitoring student wellbeing closely.
Another recurring challenge stems from student expectations. "They talk to each other," Wagenaar notes with a smile, "and they say, 'The services here are better than there.'" Such comparisons are inevitable, but regular evaluations help the consortium adapt and improve over time.
Advice for Other Consortia: Build People, Not Just Programmes
For other Erasmus Mundus consortia looking to strengthen their joint student services, Wagenaar’s message is simple: “Build a community; not only of students but of staff.” Motivated and committed staff, from academic coordinators to administrative personnel, are what quality support is built on.
"Make them feel their work counts. When staff believe in the programme and know they're making a difference, that energy translates directly into better care for students," he adds.
Involving students in decision-making also matters. While feedback can be critical, Wagenaar stresses the importance of transparent dialogue: "Explain why things are done a certain way. Most students will understand and appreciate the reasoning."
A Global Legacy
Over the last 25 years, Euroculture graduates have gone on to shape public policy, author influential books, and contribute meaningfully to societies around the globe.
Looking back at over 25 years of Euroculture and Erasmus Mundus, Wagenaar reflects: “We’re not just educating students. We’re nurturing future leaders across the world. And it’s not about numbers; it’s about quality and the real-world impact they go on to make.”
As Euroculture continues to evolve, it demonstrates what higher education can achieve when academic excellence and genuine care for students are given equal weight. To learn more about the programme, its partner universities, and how to apply, visit the official website at euroculturemaster.eu.
See the full video interview with Robert Wagenaar: