More than 1,600 participants from over 70 nations turned the Spanish city of Seville into the vibrant capital of the "Erasmus Generation" at the beginning of April. At the "EGM Seville 2024" (Erasmus Generation Meeting), students from European universities that are part of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN network) exchanged views on the future of Europe and the topic of active and equal participation. Ece Arslan, Master's student in Design & Product Management, attended the four-day conference on behalf of Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and sends us her impressions.
The kick-off in the centre of Seville, with a flag parade along the Guadalquivir River, was followed by welcoming words from EU politicians, including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Margaritas Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission.
Ece Arslan, who brought the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Austria National Assembly to FH Salzburg for the first time last year, described her experience in Seville and the added value for exchange with other countries:
“As always, I am proud to be a part of the largest non-profit student organization in Europe. Attending international meetings serves as a constant reminder of why I volunteer and underscores the crucial role of ESN in institutions, while you meet and exchange ideas with different sections. We had a good talk with ESN Germany for example. Now we are cooperating to do trips! ESN Salzburg and ESN TU München will organize trips to each other's city. We decided to do mutual trips to Halltstatt and Vienna together with ESN Innsbruck.”
Over four days, the young participants of the conference were able to exchange ideas, network, discuss and make friends in discussion rounds, workshops and at events. EU representatives presented new concepts and projects, including a planned European degree programme. All participants agreed: the future is international and the Eramus+ programme is an important part of this development to promote exchange and mutual understanding in Europe.
Find our more about the EGM Meeting in Seville: EGM Seville 2024 - “Our best ambassadors and our best hope” | Erasmus Student Network (esn.org)
