1. What does ESN mean to you?
ESN is a chance to do creative thinking and live your life. I study biotechnology. Majority of it is working in a lab and spending hundreds of hours calculating. There is not too much fun in that. In ESN I can bring my ideas to life, cooperate and gain crucial experience, which I haven’t had a chance to do during my studies. ESN is a group of amazing people, for better or for worse, my family. 

2. How did your ESN adventure start?
Becoming a member of my section, I met a close group of people. Never in my wildest dreams, I’d believe I had a chance to become a part of it. Fortunately, I was mistaken, which I understood quickly.Two months in, I became a Tandem Project Coordinator. It made me an ESNer I am today ;).

3. How did ESN change your life? Why have you joined it?
I joined ESN with one of my friends from my faculty. She did an Erasmus exchange. After coming back she was always talking about her amazing experiences with other Erasmus students. I’ve always loved meeting new people and the international community seemed even cooler. Besides I felt the need to do something more that just studying.I think that everyone who puts their heart, soul and time in ESN can notice a big change in their life. Without mentioning the fact that since joining I never feel bored or spend a weekend on my own. Now I can take control of my own life. I can work in a group. I am more organised and I can motivate myself into doing something even on a rainy day after a sleepless night. 

4. If you were an ESN project, what would you be?
The TANDEM! It was my first project in ESN and it has influenced me a lot. It may seem that it’s no big deal but I see a great potential in it. Tandem has something I love in ESN - it allows you to share your skills, help others, it creates a community. Thanks to its form you can be super creative. The most satisfying moment was when I realised it that in Tandem you can notice all the six Causes.

5. #FunFact about a life in ESN.
I don’t know if it’s too fun and it’s been around for a long time now. After each recruitment there is always an integration party. We get a chance to meet our angels, play games etc. In the end of my first integration meeting I walked up to Zosia, who was responsible for HR at that time, to say my goodbyes. I was that stressed that instead of saying ‘Thank you.’ I asked ‘What do you do with all those plastic cups? Do you sort them?’ I will never forget her face. We were both equally surprised. The aftermath of the event was that my angel thought I wasn’t normal. Fortunately, I am not that awkward anymore. I can organise events and platforms and use wooden cutlery during coffee breaks.

6. Did you go on the Erasmus+ exchange? / What is the most interesting experience you had so far?
Unfortunately not. I hope that I manage to do it during my master’s. Often my friends are surprised that I work in ESN, and yet didn’t have a chance to do my own exchange. I laugh and say that I have a little bit of the lifestyle at home.

7. What inspires and motivates you the most?
I like saying that we are our best coaches. I believe in the b=power of mind. If we think positive, we can achieve anything. It’s not about lying to yourself but believing. “There are no problems, only challenges”. This is a motto that helps me in overcoming difficulties in ESN.  A huge dose of motivation are the people as well. I try to be like the ones who achieved something great and on the other hand I love having an opportunity to help others. Those are the best motivation factors ever.

8. Favourite place in the world?
I don’t think I have one. I believe that the whole world is incredible if you know how to admire it the right way. I could say that the places I like the most are filled with my friends. On the other hand, from time to time I enjoy the quality time I have when I’m alone ;).

9. Did ESN help you discover some things you didn’t know you were good at?
Yes, of course. I remember when during my interview I was asked if I wanted to join one of the groups in the section, PR, FR, HR. I had no idea how to answer the question. I had no experience in those fields whatsoever. I ended up joining all of them. Now I can: work on graphic design in AI, acquire a new financial partner and motivate a group of people to work. What’s more, I had a chance to gain leadership skills. And the most important thing, now I can sleep for three hours a day and feel ok (it’s all only a state of mind.