Erasmus Student Network

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Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a European wide student organisation. Its goal is to support and develop student exchange. It is composed of over 10'000 members from 275 local sections in 33 countries working in Higher Education Institutes (Universities, Polytechnics, University Colleges, etc). ESN is organised on a local, national and international level. The network is in contact with almost 150'000 internationally-minded students.

The aims of ESN are to promote the social and personal integration of the exchange students. The local ESN-sections offer help, guidance and other valuable information to the exchange students hosted by their university. Newcomers find their way in the new environment easier and they can utilise their time in the best way possible to get as much out of their exchange as possible. ESN also represents the needs and expectations of exchange students on the local, national and international level. Provision of relevant information about academic exchange programs and student mobility is one of the aims of ESN as well.

1 The six principles of ESN
2 History of ESN
3 ESN's Structure today
4 Presidents
5 International Events
6 Member countries
7 External links

[edit] The six principles of ESN

ESN works in the interest of exchange students.
ESN works to improve the social and practical integration of exchange students.
ESN represents the needs and expectations of exchange students on the local, national and international level.
ESN provides relevant information about academic exchange programmes and ESN resources.
ESN works with the reintegration of homecoming students.
ESN contributes to the evaluation of different exchange programmes.

[edit] History of ESN

In 1987 a plan to create an extensive mobility scheme for higher education was approved by the European Community. One part of this was the Erasmus programme - exchange programme for students in order to provide the opportunity to spend part of their studies abroad.

In 1989 the Erasmus Bureau invited 32 former Erasmus Students for an evaluation meeting in Ghent, Belgium. This meeting was a starting point for Erasmus Student Network. The problems that became obvious in the evaluation were the main tasks for the founders of ESN International to work on. Behind all this stood the idea “students helping students”, which is remained the most important motto in the work of ESN.

ESN sections were founded in various European universities, and with financial support from the EC, in October 1990 the meeting for the official founding of ESN International was organized in Copenhagen, Denmark with 49 participants from almost all member states of the EC. ESN International became a legal association. Desiree Majoor from Utrecht, Netherlands became the first president in ESN history.

By 1994 ESN already had 60 sections in 14 countries and it was growing year by year. Some of the sections also disappeared.

10 years from then, 2004, ESN network consists of 170 sections in and outside Europe, from Scandinavia to Morocco. New technology has tremendously improved collaboration between sections and frequent meetings strengthen the ties between ESN members as well as serve the possibility to change ideas and work together for a better future.

Inside the network the greeting “Pallomeri!” is widely used. What does it mean? Originally it has a funny meaning: the pool filled with small coloured balls in the shopping centres where kids can play. In ESN the meaning is: Pan- European Association Leading Local Organization Making Erasmus Richer Inside. This new meaning was originally presented and invented by Matteo Baggio during AGM IX in Graz, 1998, even if the Erasmus Student Network is currently helping all the exchange students, not only the ones involved in the Erasmus programme.

The interest among students to spend part of their studies abroad is continuously increasing. It is the best opportunity to establish international contacts, have a valuable insight into different culture and gain from an unforgettable experience. As the Bologna declaration, signed by European Ministers of Education in 1999, states, the aim to reach 3 million exchange students by the year 2010.

[edit] ESN's Structure today

ESN is the most important student organisation working in the interest of exchange students working in Europe, consisting of three levels: a local, a national and an international level.

[edit] Local level

On the local level the work is in direct contact with the exchange students; ESN’s local sections organise activities and introduction programmes and ESN can represent the exchange students and their interests towards academic institutions and local authorities. The local sections together form the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the highest decision making body of ESN.

[edit] National level

On the national level the exchange students and their interests can be represented towards governments and national authorities. Local sections together form a National Platform (NP) and a National Representative (NR) represents the outcome of NP’s towards the international level and external bodies and share information from the national and international level to the local sections.

[edit] International level

On the international level ESN has regular meetings with international authorities and international organizations discussing exchange students and their interests. The Board is the executive body of ESN International, and is formed by five Board members, who lıve and work ın Brussels. NRs from all the ESN member countries together form the Council of National Representatives (CNR) that is the consultative body of ESN International.