Balloons to fill sky for Erasmus

Multicoloured balloons will fly above Sheffield to celebrate the 25th anniversary of a student exchange scheme. Erasmus Student Network UK (ESN UK) is celebrating the milestone with young people from all over the world attending a special birthday party in the capital.

ESN UK has helped thousands of UK students work or study overseas since 1987 boosting their international experience, language skills and cultural awareness to increase future job prospects. To thank the scheme, ESN sections from King's College London and Imperial College will be hosting an Erasmus Birthday Party at Prince's Gardens, Imperial University, London, on 10th March.

The event will include the release of environmentally friendly balloons, a barbecue, entertainment and a big birthday cake. Celebrations are also expected to take place in Southampton, Cambridge, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Glasgow where more balloons will be released.

Simon Williams, head of EU programmes at the British Council, which manages Erasmus, said: "We are very pleased to support the ESN in these celebrations. We are working together to not only celebrate this milestone of the programme but to raise awareness of Erasmus and its many benefits.

"Erasmus helps develop skills that employers are demanding and encourages a global perspective amongst its alumni. Our hope and ambition is that we can help many more students from the UK to take part in the programme and be our country's high flyers."

For more information visit to www.esnuk.org.