December: ESN Foggia

In this cold time of the year let’s all move for a moment to south of Italy which is home of next Section in the Spotlight for December, ESN FOGGIA. Being born only two years ago, the section composed of about a dozen members still has lots of “newbie” enthusiasm to work hard for their Erasmus students, who study on University of Foggia.

The key point for members of ESN FOGGIA is preparation, that’s why they divide tasks and plan the whole calendar of activities including the Welcome Week and weekly meetings before the actual semester begins. Erasmus students in Foggia can come to them with any sort of problem and they will never hear “NO” as an answer.

The very first contact with new Erasmus is made before they arrive. ESN Foggia contacts all of them via. e-mail, introducing themselves & their organisation as well as offers all Erasmus help with looking for accommodation. Upon arrival, the Welcome Day takes place where all essential information for Erasmus in order to enjoy their stay in Foggia as much as possible is provided by ESN members.

Many of the incoming students want to learn Italian, that’s why ESN Foggia organises Italian course with professional teacher twice a week, which is free of charge. On the other hand, the Erasmus students also take part in Tandem Language event where local students can practise other foreign languages by speaking with Erasmus. ESN Foggia also makes trips all around Italy and various thematic parties. Since Italy is obsessed with food, it would be a shame if Erasmus coming there wouldn’t know how to prepare some of the finest Italian dishes. That’s why ESN Foggia regularly makes Classes of Italian cuisine where Erasmus students can learn how to prepare real Italian food.

Another typical cliché in Italy is drinking coffee, why not to make a regular ESN event out of it. Therefore ESN Foggia organises regular literary aperitifs where local students can have a cup of coffee with people from all around Europe. All the parties of ESN Foggia are open for local students, too. In order to strengthen their ESN team, ESN Foggia makes Welcome to ESN party for their new members and they often go out for a team dinners.

ESN Foggia is a regular attendant of all the national events of ESN Italy, being that National Platforms or National event of winter semester in ESN Italy, ICE which recently took place in Rome. They are also in close contact with National Board and other sections. There hasn’t been AGM where at least one person from ESN Foggia wouldn’t be present, since the section was established.

At the end of the academic year, ESN Foggia always releases Erasmus / customer satisfaction form, where they ask all of their Erasmus to give feedback on their annual section activities to be able to avoid the same mistakes for the future and thus improve their work.