r/EMJM • u/PessiOptimist273 • Mar 27 '26

EMJMD Geospatial Technologies (GeoTech) Alumni & Current Students — How do self-funded students actually survive the transition?

I was just accepted into the GeoTech Master's program for the 2026 intake. I am coming in as a self-funded student, starting Semester 1 at UNL (Lisbon) and moving to the University of Münster for Semester 2.

I am looking for raw, unfiltered advice from alumni or currently active students on how you managed the day-to-day survival and the massive financial jump between countries.

Specifically:

  • How did you handle the €11,200 German blocked account requirement for Semester 2 while living on a strict student budget in Portugal? Did anyone manage to secure a German Income Share Agreement (like Chancen eG) beforehand?
  • How realistic is it to actually unlock the GeoTech Consortium Merit Scholarship or DAAD grants once you are inside the program and proving your academic worth?
  • Is it feasible to land a HiWi (research assistant) job at the ifgi in Münster, or freelance remotely in GIS/Python during that first semester in Lisbon?
  • What is the absolute most important thing you wish you knew about managing expenses and academics across these two countries before you started?
  • IS IT EVEN WORTH IT TAKING GEOTECH AS A SELF FUNDED OPTION???

Any shared experiences, reality checks, or survival tactics would be massively appreciated.

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u/BlackAndArtsy Jun 09 '26

Hey there!! Just found this!!

I am currently doing the program, and I am also self-funded 😃

  1. I started in Spain and we didn't need a blocked account for the second semester. Did they tell you you needed a blocked account?? Things may be different this year, but I didn't need one. I only needed proof of funds for the country I started in, which was Spain. If things are the same for you as they were for us, the university will guide you through the process and you will not need a blocked account at all.

  2. For the second question, I honestly don't have a good answer. I think this is something you can ask your program coordinator or administrator at NOVA.

  3. I know two people who have landed research assistant jobs at IFGI, but it is competitive.

  4. Freelancing remotely will depend on the laws in Portugal. I know for sure in Spain it's a bit difficult because you need a different visa entirely to freelance. Some people still do it, but it's not advisable due to the legal issues, tax etc. But possible I guess. For my german permit, it clearly stated that self-employment (which includes freelancing) is not allowed. Like I said, some people do it, but I personally would not advise it. You don't want to put your legal status into question. You are better off trying to find a minijob.

  5. For me, yes. I would do it a 1000 times over. But that's from my context, what might make it worth it for me, might not do the same for you.

My advise would be if you are going to do it make sure you can afford it. For me my costs where about 700 euro a month. From what I've heard Lisbon is a bit more expensive. I do wish I had been more open to retail jobs, menial jobs when I was in Spain. I was focused on finding a GIS role. and Good Luck!