ESN
WHAT IT IS
AND HOW TO USE IT
Kathryn Berry chats to Erasmus Student Network (ESN) president Sofia Lewis, to find out more about the ever-growing and increasingly popular society.
Hi Sofia, first of all, what’s the overall aim of ESN?
ESN is a non-profit international student organisation, and is one of the largest student-run organisations in Europe. Our motto is students helping students, and we’re basically a massive committee of students that aims to help the integration of those on Erasmus with natives by organising a variety of social activities.
Give us some examples of things ESN has organised?
Every few weeks we do a popular tandem event and events such as film nights, and we just had a trip to Brighton which was a great success. During a jam-packed welcome week, we did a walking tour of Bristol and a big welcome party, and something we recently did in collaboration with Keep Warm Bristol was ‘Pending Coffees’, an event where Erasmus students went around Bristol handing out coffees and essentials such as hats, scarves and gloves to the homeless.
Who can get involved and how?
For Bristol students, our tandem events are a great opportunity to practise language skills in a relaxing environment, and we have Erasmus students from almost every language discipline that the school teaches.
For 1st, 2nd and 3rd years, being involved in the committee looks fantastic on your CV, but more importantly it’s a chance to really help people who have just arrived in a new city, and it’s promoting international unity during a great period of uncertainty in Europe.
Were you involved in ESN in your first or second year?
No, but one of the great things about ESN is that you don’t have to be studying to be involved, so when I went on my year abroad, even though I was doing an internship I still went along to the events. It was full of the friendliest people and they really helped me to settle in. When I got the email saying that ESN Bristol was looking for people I just had to apply, and I’m so glad I did.
What advice would you give Bristol University students going on their year abroad?
Definitely go along to ESN events: the organisation has 500 sections across Europe, so wherever you’re going it’s likely there’ll be one near you. The year abroad is definitely a challenge, but take advantage of all the opportunities you have and keep an open mind.
Social mobility and making sure Bristol students have a great time on Erasmus is important to us, so ESN is planning to arrange informal question and answer sessions for 2nd and 4th years in TB2.
What’s the next big event coming up?
The Big Charity Christmas Quiz at the White Harte on December 6th, and all proceeds will go to Care International, a global organisation that fights poverty and injustice and supports girls and women in the world’s most vulnerable places.
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IL DIPARTIMENTO
Sofia Lewis
Kathryn Berry