What is ESN?Erasmus Student Network is a European wide student network. Its goal is to support and develop student exchange. It is composed of sections working in Higher Education Institutes (Universities, Polytechnics, University Colleges etc.) and National and International structures. The history of Erasmus Student NetworkIn 1987 the European Community approved a plan
to create an extensive mobility scheme for higher education. The Erasmus
program thus created became one of the exchange programs with which students
in higher education can spend part of their studies abroad. Two years
later the Erasmus Bureau invited a few former Erasmus students to an evaluation
meeting in Belgium. This resulted in the idea of the Erasmus Student Network,
in order to help international students encounter practical problems during
their stay at a host university via the system "students help international
students". ESN sections were instituted in various European university
cities. With the financial support of the European Commission, the founding
meeting was organized in Copenhagen (Denmark) 1990 with participants from
nearly all of the EC member states. In that meeting the Erasmus Student
Network became a legal association. Nowadays the Erasmus Student Network,
as a pan-European network, provides its services to all exchange students
studying in Europe. Erasmus Student NetworkAt the moment the network consists of more then 160 sections active in 24 European countries. This represents almost 60,000 students a year with whom we work directly. The aims of ESN are to promote the social and personal integration of the students who spend a part of their studies at a foreign Higher Education Institute (HEI). ESN helps the students and gives them advice
as well as guarantees the provision of practical information about
various exchange programs. Every country and every university has
its own traditions. It takes time for a newcomer to find his way
in the new environment. The most qualified person to guide an exchange
student in the university world and to show him/her some time saving
shortcuts through the local bureaucracy is a local student. The
students at the local ESN section offer this service and other valuable
information to the international students hosted by their HEI. One
of the aims of ESN is to help international students during their
stay in another country and to help the exchange students utilize
their time in the best way possible to get as much out of the exchange
as possible. Aims of Erasmus Student NetworkThe official aims of ESN as formulated in
the Statutes of ESN are:
ESN aims at concerning itself directly or
indirectly with everything in connection with the above mentioned
as broadly as possible. ESN aims at creating the conditions for
better understanding of each other's cultures and national habits
between students of different nationalities. ESN works without being
associated with any political party or confessional grouping. Resources of Erasmus Student NetworkThe Erasmus Student Network is a nonprofit
organization. It is entirely run by students, usually working on
a voluntarily basis. Each ESN section must be self-supporting. Usually
the local Higher Education Institute (HEI) provides aid by supplying
administrative services and sometimes a small financial contribution.
Close relations to the local institution are essential for the functioning
of an ESN section. The financial support for the activities of the
International level is provided the European Commission, National
Socrates Agencies, Higher Education Institutes and private sponsors.
The structure of Erasmus Student NetworkThe network consists of numerous local sections
active in various European Higher Education Institutes (HEI). The local
sections constitute the heart of the Erasmus Student Network and they
work in close cooperation with the HEI's international departments. These
ESN sections together form the European association Erasmus Student Network
International. The International Administration (IA) is responsible for
the daily office routines of the network. For the moment it is situated
at the University of Ghent in Belgium, and it is the official office of
ESN. Once a year the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held. It is the highest
decision-making body of the network. Representatives from all ESN sections
meet and decide on an international policy outline. The Executive Board
(EB) and the International Board (IB) work in accordance with the decisions
done at the AGM. The International Board (IB) consists of the National
Representatives of every country taking part in the network and the Executive
Board is elected from them. The Executive Board takes care of the daily
work of the ESN International with the International Administration and
the International Board monitors and supports their work. During the year
ESN sections meet on a national level. The national platforms are established
to strengthen the national ties between sections, to coordinate national
projects and to strengthen the communication between the local and the
international level. Local SectionsThe local level is the very heart of the network.
It is at this level that our members operate, and where our work as an
organization can especially be noticed. The individual exchange student
will remember ESN through his or her own experiences with the individual
ESN section functioning at the host Higher Education Institute (HEI).
The main task of the local sections is to help exchange students. By using
the qualities of the local students, ESN gives the foreign students help
and guidance, introduces them to the institution and the student life
and ensures that they are given information and explanations about their
studies. The local sections strive to offer a support system with practical
assistance through a mentor system in order to promote the integration
of the exchange students. The local sections of ESN coordinate the social
and cultural activities, for example by organizing trips and excuresions.
All the local sections can be found through this web site from the Sections
part. The International LevelThe international level of ESN exists to provide various services mainly for the ESN sections, but also for all exchange students of Europe. The communication of the sections is facilitated by providing contact information, organizing international events, publishing a newsletter and distributing news through e-mail. These forums provide for the sections themselves a possibility to develop their work by discussing with and getting feedback and ideas from other sections. To represent the views of the sections and bring out practical problems of student mobility on the international level, ESN International participates in meetings relating to student mobility and works in close cooperation with the European Commission and other relevant parties. Public relations are important in an organization like the Erasmus Student Network. The presentation of ESN as a network is continuously being improved. Establishment of new contacts and preservation of the old ones is important. The Erasmus Student Network is together with ESIB (The National Student Unions of Europe) and AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux Des Etudiants de l'Europe, European Students' Forum) a member of the European Liaison Group of Higher Education Student Organizations, established to exchange information between the student organizations and the European Commission and to have the possibility for closer cooperation between student organizations at the European level. ESN cooperates as well with professional organizations in the field of higher education such as EAIE (European a association of international educators and UNICA (Network of universities of capitals of Europe), FEDORA (European forum for student guidance).
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