ESN Ireland celebrates the 25th anniversary of Erasmus

On a windy but sunny April afternoon in Ireland, the Lord Mayor of Dublin hosted Erasmus Student Network Ireland at his humble abode in the Mansion House. The event celebrates the success and the 25th Anniversary of the Erasmus programme, the world’s largest student exchange programme in which over two million students have participated since it’s inauguration in 1987.

Those who were attending the Mansion House were representatives from the Irish national agency, Higher Education Authority, international representative officers from University College Dublin, Dublin Institute of Technology, Trinity College, Erasmus students currently studying in Dublin and of course the board members from ESN Ireland.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, who was a former Erasmus student himself, proceeds to give a moving speech on the significance of the European exchange student programme. How it thrusts you to be independent, to be open and to be bold, teaching us to try new things, practise your language and appreciate the little things that we take for granted. He encourages as many students from all over the country and in Europe to take part in the most incredible extraordinary experience of their lives.

He announced the winners of ESN Ireland’s ‘25th Anniversary Photo Competition’, in which Alina Shumova of Trinity College came third, Malin Willander and Rebecca Lauther of University College Dublin came 2nd and 1st respectively. Their photos and their stories beautifully described their best moments in Ireland and how the photo itself has a deep and special meeting close to their hearts.

The celebration as well as the competition signifies the very beauty of the Erasmus programme. It changes people’s lives and broadens their perspective, but most importantly they make lifelong friends, sometimes fall in love and hold memories that they will treasure forever and it’s an experience that can never be taken away from them wherever their host country may be.

At ESN Ireland we are very proud to be Irish especially with many Erasmus students expressing their love of Irish culture and people. The positive attitude ‘for the craic’, friendliness, modesty, humbleness and the love for life that Irish people exhibit forever leaves an everlasting impression on every exchange student that sets foot in our small but charming country. We’re happy to play some part in their incredible journey!

Sláinte