ESN History | ESN Bulgaria
ESN Bulgaria
ESN History
From a single evaluation meeting in Gent to a network of over 800 university sections across 39 countries — this is how ESN came to be.
The Erasmus Programme is born
A plan to create an extensive mobility scheme for higher education was approved by the European Community. The Erasmus programme was established to provide students with the opportunity to spend part of their studies abroad.
The founding meeting in Gent
The Erasmus Bureau invited 32 former Erasmus students for an evaluation meeting in Gent, Belgium. The problems that became obvious in the evaluation became the main tasks for the founders of ESN to work on. Behind all this stood the idea of "students helping students" — still the most important motto of ESN volunteers.
First section in Utrecht, Netherlands
The first section using the name Erasmus Student Network was founded in Utrecht, The Netherlands. ESN sections followed at universities across Europe. Desiree Majoor from Utrecht became the first president in ESN history.
ESN International becomes a legal association
With financial support from the European Community, the official founding meeting of ESN International was organised in Copenhagen, Denmark with 49 participants from almost all EC member states. ESN International was formally registered as a legal association.
60 sections in 14 countries
By 1994 ESN already had 60 sections across 14 countries and was growing year by year as more universities embraced the student exchange mission.
Official seat established in Brussels
In September 2005, ESN established an official seat in Brussels, where the International Board, the Secretariat, and interns now work full time — giving the network a permanent home at the heart of Europe.
20 years — 280 sections in 32 countries
Twenty years after its creation, ESN had grown to 280 sections in 32 European countries as well as Azerbaijan. New technology had tremendously improved collaboration between sections, and frequent meetings strengthened ties between ESN members and created opportunities to exchange ideas and work together.
800+ institutions across 39 countries
ESN is now present in more than 800 Higher Education Institutions across 39 countries, involving around 34,000 young people and offering services to approximately 200,000 international students every year.