Creating a link between cultures

For Heiko Stieger, the National Assembly of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Germany, which takes place this weekend (29 - 31 October 2021) in Bayreuth, is a matter of the heart. The master's student of Polymer Science was himself in Singapore during his bachelor's degree. He says this experience shaped him and made him want to get involved. "I took part in the Welcome Week back then and immediately had the feeling of having arrived. I wanted to give guest students that same feeling of welcome."

Buddy Programme and language get-togethers

Now the National Assembly of ESN Germany is set to take place in Bayreuth. Due to coronavirus, the last in-person event was in January 2020. "It is quite a challenge to organise something like this now," he says. He and his colleagues were particularly concerned about the coronavirus requirements. The "National Board", i.e. representatives of ESN Germany, is responsible for the organisation. Together with a team of about ten, however, Stieger is responsible for the supporting programme and the organisation of the event.

The entire meeting is planned to take place in the Protestant community centre. The Bayreuth team is also responsible for the catering and accommodation for the guests from 41 sections, as the individual local groups are called at ESN. "Normally, the National Assemblies always take place in the universities," explains Stieger. "Because of the uncertain planning situation, we had to look for another venue when we started organising." To make the event affordable for the students involved, sponsors were necessary. "We would not have been able to pay the rent and heating costs ourselves," emphasises Stieger. "Without the help of the Univerein (Partners & Friends of the University), it would not have been possible at all." Other sponsors stepped up to help with catering: the Techniker-Krankenkasse health fund and the Becher-Bräu brewery.

To ensure that the students really get to do both meet and work, the sections will already arrive on Thursday, and from Friday onwards they will turn to the substance of the assembly. Various workshops will take place, the topics of which are determined by the "causes", i.e. the concerns of ESN: Education & Youth, Environmental Sustainability, Health & Wellbeing, Skills & Employability, Social Inclusion, and Culture.

English is spoken at ESN - at the event in Bayreuth, too. "Many sections have international presidents," explains Stieger. And since the network is mainly concerned with intercultural exchange between guest students and locals, it clearly makes sense. In addition to a Franconian Evening, where the guests can get to know the region, there will also be an International Dinner. "We hope there will be delicacies to eat from many cultures. Another way of learning something new."