What is Erasmus Student Network?
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest student organisation in Europe. Born in Ghent, Belgium in 1989, we support and represent international exchange students under our guiding principle: “Students Helping Students”.
Institutions across 45+ European countries
International students supported each year
Active volunteers driving local integration
Young people enrolled across student networks
Our Origins: Born in Ghent (1989)
It was during the first historic Erasmus gathering in Ghent, Belgium in 1989, that the vital need for an organisation offering peer-to-peer support to exchange students while abroad became clear. Not long after, on the 16th of October 1989, the very first local ESN association was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
With a constantly developing and expanding network, ESN is now present in more than 1,000 Higher Education Institutions from 45 countries. We have around 15,000 active members who are in many sections supported by buddies mainly taking care of international students. Thus, ESN involves around 50,000 young people offering its services to around 350,000 international students every year.
Internationalisation at Home
Beyond mobile students, ESN devotes itself to supporting the creation of a more mobile and flexible education environment by developing student exchanges and providing an intercultural experience to students who cannot access a period abroad under the idea of "internationalisation at home".
Skills & Youth Employability
From organising integrating activities for exchange students to increasing the employability of local youth, ESN’s scope of work is very wide. ESN gathers young people from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, creating opportunities for the personal and professional development of their peers.
How ESN Operates: 3 Connected Levels
ESN operates across three tiers of governance to ensure local grassroots impact with a unified European voice.
Local Sections
Based at Higher Education Institutions. Local student volunteers directly welcome incoming students, manage integration programmes, organize integration events, trips, and cultural exchanges.
National Organisations
National branches (such as ESN Belgium) coordinate, inform, and support 18 local sections across 12 Belgian cities, manage national partnerships, and represent the country on the international level.
ESN International (AISBL)
Headquartered in Brussels. Advocates for student mobility before the European Commission, European Parliament, Erasmus+ National Agencies, and higher education stakeholders.
The 6 Causes of ESN
The variety of ESN activities is structured around 6 fundamental causes advocated at all levels of the organisation:
Culture
Promoting intercultural dialogue and European heritage.
Education & Youth
Advocating for student rights and accessible Erasmus+ mobility.
Environmental Sustainability
Encouraging eco-friendly travel and green campus initiatives.
Health & Well-being
Promoting sports, mental health, and healthy student lifestyles.
Skills & Employability
Fostering leadership, project management, and career readiness.
Social Inclusion
Ensuring mobility is open, diverse, and accessible to everyone.
Explore ESN Belgium
Meet our national team and board structure, or locate the section supporting your host university campus among our 18 sections across 12 Belgian cities.