Erasmus+ Masters Loan: Boris Kuzmanov

Growing up in Kozloduy in northern Bulgaria, Boris is no stranger to nuclear technologies; Situated on the Danube river, near the border with Romania, Kozloduy is home to Bulgaria’s only nuclear power plant and Boris developed an interest in nuclear energy from a young age.

After studying nuclear engineering at the Technical University of Sofia, his goal was to pursue a post-graduate degree in this field, and he identified the European Masters in Nuclear Energy as the ideal next step. It entails a first year at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya, a second year in France, and then a 6-month internship in one of the energy companies that support the programme - a perfect fit.

While Boris managed to secure a scholarship to cover his tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses were proving particularly costly. “Without this Erasmus+ loan, I would have simply been unable to start my studies” he explains.

Boris was able to secure a loan from Microbank, backed by EIF under the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, that allowed him to cover his expenses and pursue his studies in nuclear energy. “It had a huge positive impact on my life” he adds.

So far, the experience has been particularly rewarding. According to Boris, “the programme is very intense and demanding academically. I really feeling I’m learning a lot. But I’ve also had the chance to meet lots of international students, and this has definitely broadened my vision of the world. Sharing experiences, being in touch with different cultures and people with different backgrounds enriches your personality.”

The EU’s Erasmus+ Master’s Loan Guarantee Facility aims to increase access to finance in order to enable students to take a Master's Degree in another country, as a contribution to tackling skills gaps in Europe.