1. What does ESN mean to you?
I’m probably not too original by saying this but ESN is the people. Not only ESN members but also Erasmus students and other inspiring people we meet while working for the organisation. They give us the energy and energy to work. I think that is a reason why each of my assignments in ESN was about working with people. ESN is also the space where we can accomplish many complexed projects, gain new sets of skills and face our weaknesses and difficulties. ESN is not always winning and succeeding. But when it happens you have the people you can rely on. They will help you get back on your feet and do your thing. They’re the organisation’s biggest strength.
2. How did your ESN adventure start?
My ESN adventure began with the Mentor Programme. After coming back from being abroad for over a year I thought that it’d be cool thing to help Erasmus students (like I had been helped once before). I became a mentor to two Spanish girls. Their friends also needed help so we were discovering Poznan and our university together. Because of them and this experience I decided to recruit to ESN UAM Poznan where my career in ESN began.
3. How did ESN change your life? Why have you joined it?
Like I mentioned above, I joined to kind of repay for the help I had been given abroad. How has ESN changed my life? Hmm…. It has definitely shown me that I can achieve much more that I could ever think of. It helped me believe in myself, developed me and my skills but also gave me the space to pursue all my ideas and dreams. Don’t be confused. ESN is not an easy start in life without any worries. Not at all! But all those difficult moments taught me the most and made me who I am today.
4. If you were an ESN project, what would you be?
The answer will never change: SocialErasmus! It was the first project, that I’ve taken part in. Thanks to it, I started feeling that ESN is a place for me. I love hanging out with the people, sharing my experiences with them and meet with different communities. Since I was a kid, my family’s called me ‘the social one’ because I was always there if somebody needed help. This project conjoins my field of studies and my interests such as multicultural education, informal education and engaging it among children and teenagers. When you do something for others, at the same time you do even more for yourself and that is why SocialErasmus gives me loads of joy and satisfaction.
5. #FunFact about a life in ESN.
I am that hopeless type that always loses her phone. So if you find one during one of our platforms or meetings there is a huge possibility that it’s mine ;).
6. Did you go on the Erasmus+ exchange? / What is the most interesting experience you had so far?
No. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to take part in the programme. I hope that it will change in the near future.
7. What inspires and motivates you the most?
From people. ESN is group of amazing people who inspire and motivate me. I love meeting them in person. That’s why all the conferences and platforms give me an additional motivation to work. During last 3 years of being a part of the organisation I’ve met loads of fantastic people who inspire me or back me up whenever I need it, even if they are far away. Last year I had a chance to meet new people working for different student organizations. It broadened my ‘ESN’ horizons and made me realise how much you can do together despite of different goals, structures or interests. SocialErasmus events are my driving force. All the smiles and compliments encourage me to do even more and become a better human being.
8. Favourite place in the world?
It may sound cliché but with every step I take and every trip I go on, I keep on discovering that there is no place like home. It is the best place to relax both your mind and your body. That is something I miss in my everyday life. Home is a place where I can shut everything out and do the things that I don’t have time for when I study, have a job and work for ESN.
9. Did ESN help you discover some things you didn’t know you were good at?
Definitely. Especially when it comes to soft skills and many other social skills. Also one of the biggest factors in my self development was getting a huge confidence boost. Now I’m able to walk out of my comfort zone.The perfect example for that was creating evaluation during NP in Warsaw, which had seemed to be a very boring and arduous job before.