International

It's no surprise that Erasmus studies have been largely impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. By now it is clear that it had a very disruptive effect on many aspects of our societies in Europe and indeed the whole world. Lithuania was no different. The mental well-being of students was negatively impacted. This also stems from the fact that for some it can be way more complicated to return home and they haven't seen their friends and family for a long time.

Regarding changes in the regular life for exchange students, Erasmus Student Network wanted to capture the experiences of students and trainees across Europe regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their mobility experience through a research report on the topic.

Some of the key findings of the report are the following:

• Almost two-thirds of the students' mobility periods continued. A quarter of them were cancelled.

• The proportion of students who have stayed in their exchange destination decreased slowly during the time that the survey was open.

• 37.5% of the students experienced at least one major problem related to their exchange. The most common one was related to the loss of transportation to return home, followed by problems with accommodation and problems with access to basic needs such as food and sanitary products.

• 24% of Italian students and 19% of Asian students have experienced discrimination based on their nationalities, either to a great extent or to a very great extent.

• 7% of the students reported that they will not get any grant at all for their studies. 24% reported that they will keep the grant, partially or fully. The majority of students do not know what will happen to their grants.

• Half of the students whose mobility continued have moved to online classes. 34% of them have moved to partial online or partially postponed classes.

• Three-quarters of the students whose mobilities were cancelled got support from their home universities. The most common form was support with course schedules and the academic programme.

ESN Lithuania acknowledges the situation that is happening and understands the issues that exchange students have to go through. The transition to the virtual world has not been easy for many. However, many local sections of ESN Lithuania are creating online events, since, before the Covid-19 situation stabilizes, we do not recommend having any phisycal events, parties, or gatherings according to the national regulations. 

From ESN Lithuania's position, we are hoping to create more virtual possibilities for students to enjoy their exchange studies during such uncertain times. The current situation asks from us to stay patient and work together for an easier future.

As ESNcard holder you will benefit from a 20% discount on the already reduced student price when subscribing to The Economist, plus a copy of Intelligent Life for free!

The Economist sets a different standard. As the next generation of opinion leaders, it's important you stay up-to-date on what's happening around the globe. Each week, The Economist spans everything from European and world news, politics, business and finance, science, technology and the arts.

Available in print-only, digital-only or as a print and digital package, you have the opportunity to enjoy The Economist's stimulating debate, intelligent insight and genuine quality however you wish whether you're at home, at university or travelling. And now digital subscriptions also include The Economist Espresso, its daily app for smartphones.

Go beyond the headlines, to get the bigger global picture. Subscribe to The Economist today! 

As an ESNcard holder, you can take advantage of this preferential offer and save 20% on the already reduced annual student subscription rate. You will also receive one copy of Intelligent Life, the bi-monthly lifestyle magazine from The Economist as a gift.

To get your discounted subscription follow the next steps:

Click in the red button above.
Choose the format you prefer (digital, printed or both).
Subscribe to the pre-existing introductory offer of 12 weeks for €20 - make sure the page where you are doing it has the ESN logo at the top!
Done! Your 20% discount will be applied to the rest of your subscription as soon as your 12 weeks introductory offer ends.

*Click here to see the full Terms and Conditions of the offer.

Tomorrowland joins forces with ESN to offer special tickets for international students

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) partners up with Tomorrowland, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, to offer special ticket sales with pre-sale prices and unique moments to unite at the festival to the international students.

Brought together by shared values of unity in diversity, respect and solidarity, ESN and Tomorrowland have an exciting year ahead. In 2019, ESN celebrates its 30th Anniversary while the Tomorrowland festival turns 15. Now they join forces to offer a special sales moment of tickets which in the previous years have been sold out within minutes. It’s time for the Erasmus Generation to join the People of Tomorrow!

Learn more about the offer

This special offer is available to all ESNcard holders and will allow them to buy up to two tickets for the pre-sale price before the start of official sales.

To get the tickets, international students should

1. Get an ESNcard at one of the 520+ sections all over Europe*
2. Register the ESNcard on ESNcard.org
3. Create a Tomorrowland Erasmus Account from 14.01, 17:00 CET until 24.01, 17:00 CET**
4. Buy the ticket from 25.01, 17:00 CET until 30.01, 17:00 CET or while the stock lasts - hurry up!***
5. Bring the ESNcard to Tomorrowland!
    

The available tickets are:

• Full Madness Pass €249
• Magnificent Greens Package €321
• Magnificent Greens 1P Tent Package €422
• Magnificent Greens 2P Tent Package €795
   

Additionally, special Treasure Case is available for €11,50 (Shipped to Belgium), €18,50 (Shipped to Europe) & €27 (Shipped Worldwide).
 

*ESNcard is available to current international students or trainees & ESN volunteers. See esncard.org/faqto make sure you’re eligible for one.

**(Make sure that the information on your Tomorrowland Account and ESNcard.org matches exactly. Otherwise we won't be able to validate them!)

***You will find your ticket link in at the special Erasmus page in your Tomorrowland Account. First in, first served applies. Be aware tickets are limited.

Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Belgium since 2005. The attendance of the festival reaches up to 400,000 people, which makes it one of the biggest music events worldwide. Endorsed by United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon and composer Hans Zimmer, the festival promotes the value of unity in diversity and respect.  It stretches over 2 weekends and usually sells out in minutes, bringing the world’s best-known DJs together to create one incredible show. In 2019, Tomorrowland will take place between 19 and 28 of July.

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest student association in Europe. Present at over 1000 Higher Education Institutions, it unites over 500 local associations in 39 countries. More than 13,000 volunteers take care of international colleagues under the motto “Students helping students”. 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.
 

For more information, please visit tomorrowland.esncard.org

Every year Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is having a lot of meetings where members of this network are coming together to discuss on current matters, share their best practices and make decisions in order to run our Network better. One of this type of meetings is Central European Platform (CEP )in which the delegates from 8 countries from the regions are representing their sections and countries.

This year from 27th to 30th of October Lithuanian delegation led by ESN Lithuania National Representative Inesa Cvetkova and ESN Lithuania Projects and Events Manager Indre Engelkyte represented Lithuania in CEP 2016 Pecs, Hungary. The delegation consisted of 18 members from the sections of different higher education institutions of Lithuania.

A lot of topics related with the events, projects, problems or new ideas and the network itself were discussed during this annual meeting. Participants had a chance to attend different workshops and small sessions related to their positions in the network or according to participants’ interests. During Meet Your Colleagues session everyone had a chance to meet people from different sections that are having same positions, for example meeting with Presidents and LRs, or Vice Presidents, or Events Coordinators etc. and to see how other colleagues are dealing with struggles or sharing experience.

During Regional Platform in Pecs sections voted for the ESN Showcase project in which the sections are showing their best practices. This year’s winner of this project among Central European sections was ESN CULS Prague with their best practice "My Section" - an IT tool for pairing international and local students.

Another very important matter for Lithuania during this platform was ESN Lithuania’s candidacy for CEP 2017. After an intense voting ESN Lithuania was elected to host CEP 2017 in Vilnius with the votes of 117 out of 120.

CEP Pecs 2016 was an interesting event for the delegation. We have made a lot of new friends from different sections, and also we got a chance to get to know each other and ESN Lithuania network better.

Written by Dovilė Zujevaitė

BRUSSELS, Belgium – April 1st 2015 – With the growing demand of the young generation to move both abroad and within their own countries, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and Hostelling International (HI) have decided to join forces, helping young travellers discover new places, learn about new cultures and gain experience through affordable and quality travel opportunities.  

“I am very pleased with this new partnership. We share similar values.” says Angela Braasch-Eggert, President of HI. “Hostelling International stands for inclusivity, learning and understanding other people and their cultures, and is concerned with a sustainable future for young people. We look forward to working together.”

Both HI and ESN believe that mobility is the key to personal development.  “The partnership between ESN and HI can be called a ‘perfect match’. The vision of Hostelling International as a membership organisation with a network of accommodation providers for mobile young people matches 100% with ours. Going abroad is about meeting other people and experiencing different cultures. I am extremely happy that we start this partnership and give all ESNcard holders the possibility to be part of the HI community.” says Stefan Jahnke, President of ESN.

What’s in it for international students? All 130,000 ESNcard holders from the next academic year will be able to  benefit from a free year-long HI membership and discounts in nearly 4,000 quality HI hostels in 91 countries around the globe. Furthermore, with the ESNcard students can access thousands of discounted hostel beds in 38 European countries and the opportunity to participate in cultural events, trips and parties organised by ESN all year-round. The ESNcard can be purchased at any of the local ESN associations around Europe.

With the European Commission’s ambition of 20% of higher education students having had a study or training period abroad by 2020 the first step to be taken is allowing young people to move, explore the world and feel confident doing it. From today, HI and ESN together make travelling easier and more affordable than ever before.

ESN says HI to the World! Will you?