What is ESN?The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest student associations in Europe. It was born on the 16th October 1989 and legally registered in 1990 for supporting and developing student exchange.
We are present in more than 430 Higher Education Institutions from 37 countries. The network is constantly developing and expanding. We have around 13.500 active members that are in many sections supported by so called buddies mainly taking care of international students. Thus, ESN involves around 29.000 young people offering its services to around 180.000 international students every year.
ESN is working in Higher Education (HE): offering services to 180.000 students
13.500 active members (29.000 with the buddies included)
mainly on a volunteer basis
with an average annual growth rate of 12% since 2005
ESN is operating on three levels: local, national, and international.
ESN works for the creation of a more mobile and flexible education environment by supporting and developing the student exchange from different levels, and providing an intercultural experience also to those students who cannot access a period abroad ("internationalisation at home").
Aims & Principles
In synthesis, ESN: works in the interest of international students
works to improve the social and practical integration of international students
represents the needs and rights of international students on the local, national, and international level
provides relevant information about mobility programmes
motivates students to study abroad
works with the reintegration of homecoming students
contributes to the improvement and accessibility of student mobility
cares about its members
values volunteering and active citizenship
Who are we for?Homecoming students
The students who are returning from exchange are being supported in reintegration process in their home countries by keeping contact with an international environment. Many local sections are set up by former exchange students, often because they have had good experiences from their exchange period or because they felt a lack of help during their exchange. They also understand better the issues and challenges in a foreign environment.
Exchange studentsHowever, the main focus of ESN is placed on current exchange students, who often face problems (and feel abandoned) in their new environments. Therefore, ESN offers help in academic, social and practical integration process. This is mainly done through activities in the local sections, which include cultural and social events such as trips to various places within the country, film nights, language projects, international food festivals and last, but not least, parties. In addition to that, many sections have introduced mentor systems, which help the international students mainly in academic and practical integration.
ESN also provides relevant information and encourages the future exchange students to gain the international experience and gain relevant insight to different cultures.
Which country has how many sections of ESN?ESN Austria (17)
ESN Belgium (12)
ESN Bosnia and Herzegovina (1)
ESN Bulgaria (8)
ESN Croatia (6)
ESN Cyprus (1)
ESN Czech Republic (15)
ESN Denmark (5)
ESN Estonia (5)
ESN Finland (16)
ESN France (29)
ESN Georgia (2)
ESN Germany (28)
ESN Greece (17)
ESN Hungary (16)
ESN Iceland (1)
ESN Ireland (5)
ESN Italy (49)
ESN Latvia (2)
ESN Lithuania (11)
ESN Luxembourg (1)
ESN Macedonia (3)
ESN Malta (1)
ESN Norway (7)
ESN Poland (34)
ESN Portugal (8)
ESN Romania (7)
ESN Russia (1)
ESN Serbia (2)
ESN Slovakia (13)
ESN Slovenia (5)
ESN Spain (32)
ESN Sweden (14)
ESN Switzerland (15)
ESN Turkey (36)
ESN UK (15)
ESN the Netherlands (14)
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