Erasmus Student Network

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest inter-disciplinary European youth and student organisation in the field of learning mobility. ESN is a non-political, non-profit and non-religious organisation with over 15,000 volunteer members from local student groups (so-called sections) in more than 1,000 Higher Education Institutions in 40 countries.

Supported by so-called buddies, ESN involves around 40,000 young people. ESN supports educational, social and cultural integration of international students and provides practical information for incoming and outgoing students about various exchange programmes. It was born on the 16th October 1989 and legally registered in 1990 for supporting and developing student exchange. Furthermore, ESN provides intercultural experiences to students who cannot access a period abroad (internationalisation at home). The mission of ESN is the enrichment of society through international students – thus, ESN works to foster the mobility of students under the principle of Students Helping Students. The organisation provides its services annually to about 350,000 international young people in Europe and beyond. ESN's activities comprise hundreds of projects developed at all levels, from local to European.

The Erasmus Student Network is also Europe´s biggest international alumni association for former participants in mobility programmes. More than 70% of ESN members have participated in learning mobility programmes. Erasmus is the most prominent one, but ESN's members come from all kinds of programmes. ESN offers a platform for reintegration after the mobility experience, allowing alumni to develop their competences and establish personal and professional networks. ESN members benefit from a number of opportunities to take in training events, conferences and other educational initiatives. Besides that, most ESN activities are open to all kinds of alumni who want to continue engaging with other alumni.