What is ESN?

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is one of the biggest interdisciplinary student associations in Europe, founded in 1989 for supporting and developing student exchange. We are present in over 500 Higher Education Institutions in over 40 countries. The network is constantly developing and expanding. ESN is working in Higher Education and it is offering services to 150.000 students. ESN operates 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 (“internationalization at home”)

ESN Göttingen is the local ESN Section for Göttingen, Kassel and the Harz area. ESN Göttingen is a e.V. (registered association) with the status of non-profit organization.

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 an exchange are being supported in the 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 students

However, 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 the 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 into different cultures. But in no case is ESN Göttingen a substitute to the official information provided by the University's International Relations Office or its Faculties.