About ESN | ESN Bulgaria
ESN Bulgaria
About ESN
The Erasmus Student Network is the biggest student association in Europe — born on 16 October 1989 and legally registered in 1990 for supporting and developing student exchange.
How we work
ESN has around 15,000 active members supported by buddies who mainly take care of international students — involving around 34,000 young people in total. The network operates mainly on a volunteer basis with an average annual growth rate of 12% since 2005.
ESN works for the creation of a more mobile and flexible education environment by supporting and developing student exchange at every level, and by providing an intercultural experience also to those students who cannot access a period abroad — what ESN calls internationalisation at home.
Aims & Principles
What ESN stands for
In synthesis, ESN is an organisation that:
Homecoming students
Students returning from exchange are supported in their reintegration process at home by keeping contact with an international environment. Many local sections are set up by former exchange students who understand better the issues and challenges of a foreign environment — and want to give back.
Exchange students
The main focus of ESN is placed on current exchange students, who often face problems and feel abandoned in their new environments. ESN offers help in academic, social and practical integration through activities at local sections — including cultural events, trips, film nights, language projects, international food festivals, and parties.
Many sections have also introduced mentor systems to help international students with academic and practical integration. ESN also encourages future exchange students to gain international experience and insight into different cultures.